Punjab clears Bills to start universities

The Punjab Assembly on Friday passed seven Bills, including those related to setting up of new universities, before adjourning sine die.

The assembly passed the bills unanimously without much debate. However, the Bills pertaining to setting up of Chandigarh University saw participation of both treasury and opposition benches.

The Bills passed include Chandigarh University Bill, the Adesh University Bill, the Punjab Common Infrastructure (Regulation and Maintenance) Bill, the Punjab Ex-servicemen Corporation (amendment)Bill and the Punjab Municipal Corporation (amendment) Bill.

The Punjab Municipal Fund (amendment) Bill and the Punjab Municipal (amendment) Bill have also been passed. Congress leader Brahm Mohindra said that the state government had set up an Ayurvedic University recently which still awaited recognition from the Centre.

Mohindra claimed that teachers were brought in from different places at the time of inspection of private colleges and institutions affecting the students.

He was concerned that Baba Farid University was yet to hand over degrees to about 2,000 students in its affiliated colleges in the state.

He also said the MBBS interns were paid only Rs 150 a day. Leader of the opposition Sunil Kumar Jakhar alleged that there were discrepancies in the bills circulated to members of the House on Thursday and Friday.

“There is over writing and cutting in the bills and those responsible for it should be held accountable,” he said.