Punjab Government's ordinance likely for pvt varsity in Mohali

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 2

In the upcoming Cabinet meeting, the Punjab Government is likely to bring in an ordinance for setting up Plaksha University, a private institution, at IT City in Mohali.

Capt meets Guv

• The CM, Local Bodies Minister Brahm Mohindra besides Chief Secretary met the Governor in this regard
• The CM wants to bring the Governor on board before bringing in the ordinance. Once monsoon session begins, it would be converted into a Bill
• A private university can be set up by way of legislation brought in under the Punjab Private Universities Policy

Once the Punjab Governor gives his assent to the ordinance, the university can begin its new session, it is learnt. In the event of the ordinance not being cleared by the Governor, the matter will have to be tabled in the monsoon session of Vidhan Sabha slated in September in the form of a Bill.

However, given the urgency to enable the university to begin its session, the ordinance route seems practical at this juncture. A private university can be established in Punjab by way of legislation brought in under the Punjab Private Universities Policy.

In this regard, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh along with Local Bodies Minister Brahm Mohindra besides Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan today held a meeting with Governor VP Singh Badnore.

Though there was no official statement regarding the meeting, sources said to set up a world-class university, the CM wanted to bring the Governor on board before bringing in the ordinance. Once the monsoon session begins, the ordinance would be converted into a Bill and tabled in the Assembly.

The issue of development of Beant Singh India International Centre (IIC) at Beant Singh Memorial in Sector 42 was also reportedly discussed at the meeting. The centre is to be developed on the lines of Delhi India International Centre.

Sources, however, ruled out discussion on the legislative amendments passed by the Vidhan Sabha against the central farm laws that had not been forwarded by the Governor to the President.

Meanwhile, the meeting with Governor led to speculation about discussion being held on impending Cabinet reshuffle. However, officials denied any such discussion.