Story

of

Establishment of Central University of Punjab

in

Ghudda (Bathinda)

By
Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. )
,
 Story of

Establishment of Central University of Punjab

in Ghudda (Bathinda)

Dedicated to:
The Posterity’

By
Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. )
 Story of

Establishment of Central University of Punjab

in Ghudda (Bathinda)
By
Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. )
E-mail: amarjitdhillon15@msn.com

!st Edition: Jan. 2009

Copy Right : Open

Price: Good Wishes

For The University

Publisher: Indo-Canadian Friendship Society

Printer………………………………………

……
 Contents

Preface Page

Chapter 1 ……………………
Introduction & Seeds of New Central Universities

Chapter 2 …………………
Bathinda in Picture
Chapter 3 ……………………
Mistake Corrected
Chapter 4 …………………….
MoF Wall & Criticism
Chapter 5 …………………….
Process Started & Bill 2008 Introduced

Chapter 6 ……………………..

Site in Bathinda Disclosed in Stages

Chapter 7 ……………………
Passage of Bill 2008 Delayed
Chapter 8 …………………….
Ordinance Route
Chapter 9 ……………………
Final Steps
Chapter 10 …………………….
Final Steps by Punjab Government
Chapter 11 ………………….
Vice Chancellor Appointed
Chapter 12 …………………..
A Make-Shift Arrangement:
Chapter 13 ……………………

VC’s Message
 & Additional Facilities in Ghudda
Appendix I …………………..
List of those who excelled in various fields from Ghudda

Appendix II …………………..

12 New Central Universities & 3 State Universities with Jurisdiction

[ From The Gazette of India Extraordinary ]

Preface

I have recently written a small Book about my village Ghudda in my mother

tongue Punjabi suffixing it “ From Jungle Desh to Central University”. It was a first book
on a lesser known village and was greatly appreciated by the residents of my village. I
felt encouraged to see that my efforts to bring my birth-place to limelight did not go in
vain.
Then, an idea developed in my mind that I should exclusively write about the
Central University, passing through some difficult phases, coming to my village and that
too in English as I have been in touch with all the developments in this regard. Thanks to
the Internet available to me in my daughter Deepindarjit’s house in Canada and my son
Harmohinder’s house in U.S.A. Mostly I was in these two countries during the period in
which all the developments about the New Central Universities had taken place.
I have tried to cover all aspects as per my capacity to visualize. However, there
might be some which have remained uncovered. I have tried to remain impartial but at
times I might have become biased towards my village which was but natural..
It is not easy to produce a book sitting in Canada and/or in U.S.A. and getting it
published from Patiala ( India ). Has Dr. Nirbhai Singh not agreed to help in every stage
of publication it would not have been possible to see this book in print form. I am obliged
to him. The onus for any mistake, if any, falls on me alone.

Amarjit Singh Dhillon ( Dr. ),

Malton ( ON )
Canada L4T2V6
Nov.30, 2009
 Chapter 1
Introduction
&
Seeds of New Central Universities

Introduction:

Village Ghudda was founded, in later half of 17th century, by Baba Ghudda, whose
ancestors shifted from village Sur Singh(Wala) near Tarn Taaran, to Village Wanger
near Talwandi Sabo, the then Lakhi Jungle area of Punjab. Ghudda was “a sleeping
village” throughout, but whose sons excelled in various fields ( see Appendix I ) .
Ghudda is also a village of ancestors of Prakash Singh Badal, who became Chief
Minister of Punjab four times starting from March 26, 1970. ( Badal being a village
purchased by the family of Baba Ghudda from a Musalman in 1830)
Nobody in Punjab, in general, and Ghudda, in particular, ever imagined that the
only one Central University to be established in Punjab by the Government of India,
would have its seat in village Ghudda. ( the other University to be established by the
Government of India would be a World Class University which would be established in
Amritsar )
Village Ghudda becoming a seat of the Central University of Punjab was not less
than a miracle. But miracles do happen, with the grace of Aimighty, in the lives of
individuals, institutions, and also in places. It had suddenly brought Ghudda on the
National Map of India and soon it will be on the International Map, it is hoped.
Metaphorically speaking “Ghudda one day slept as an unknown village, and when woke
up next morning found itself startlingly famous ”.

The Seeds of New Central Universities:

Story of establishing Central Universities [ and also World Class Universities ]

in Indian States, including Punjab [ which ultimately came to Village Ghudda 17
Kilometers from Bathinda ], started on the suggestion of National Knowledge
Commission [ NKG ] which was established by Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime
Minister of India, in 2005.
Members of The Commossion were: Mr. Sam Pitroda : Chairman,
Dr. P.M.Bhargava : Vice Chairman ,Dr. Pratap Bhanu Mehta,Dr. André Béteille,
Dr. Ashok Ganguly,Dr. Jayati Ghosh,Dr. Deepak Nayyar and Mr. Nandan Nilekani
It was noted that the 21st Century has been acknowledged worldwide as the
'Knowledge Century'. Every nation now finds itself operating in an increasingly
competitive and globalised international environment where the information
infrastructure, research and innovation systems, education and lifelong learning, and
regulatory frameworks are crucial variables. In the next few decades India will probably
have the largest set of young people in the world. Given this demographic advantage over
the countries of the West and even China, we are optimally positioned, in the words of
our Prime Minister, to "leapfrog in the race for social and economic development" by
establishing a knowledge-oriented paradigm of development. It is with this broad task in
mind that the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) was established on 13th June
2005 and given a timeframe of three years from 2nd October 2005 to 2nd October, 2008
to achieve its objectives.
Taking a clue from the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission,
on December 26, 2008, the Punjab Chief Minister .Parkash Singh Badal sought a
special package from Centre to boost prospects of higher education in the State by setting
up a Central University , an Indian Institute of Management( IIM) , Indian Institute of
Technology(IIT)and Indian Institute of Information Technology. Mr.Badal put forth these
proposals during a meeting with the then Union Human Resource Development Minister
Mr.Arjun Singh in his office at New Delhi. Disclosing this Media Advisor .Harcharan
Bains had said that on the request of Chief Minister, Mr. Arjun Singh had agreed to send
a high- level team to visit the probable sites at Bathinda, Rupnagar and Sultanpur Lodhi
before taking a final decision for setting up of a Central University. Mr.Bains added that
the Chief Minster impressed upon Mr.Arjun Singh for setting up of atleast three model
schools in each educationally backward block of the State instead of one as agreed to
earlier by the Ministry of Human Resources Development. Responding to the demands
raised by the Chief Minister, Mr.Arjun Singh assured him that the Ministry of Human
Resources Development was committed to ensure balanced growth of education in all the
States and Punjab was not an exception rather it would be accorded the highest priority
while allotting the educational institutes of excellence. He informed the Ministry would
soon take a final decision for sanctioning a prestigious IIM, IIT, IIIT besides Central
University after taking the feasibility report into consideration.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Media Advisor Harcharan Bains,
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru, Principal Resident Commissioner Ms.
Anjuly Chib Duggal and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister KJS Cheema.
In Press Release of Union Govt. March 28,2008, S TATES were IDENTIFIED FOR
LOCATING NEW CENTRAL INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE 11TH FIVE YEAR PLAN :

“The 11th Five Year Plan ( 2007-2012 ), endorsed by the National Development
Council in December, 2007, envisages, inter alia, establishment of the following new
higher education institutions in the Central Sector:
A Technical Education Institutions
· 8 Indian Institutes of Technology
· 7 Indian Institutes of Management
B Central Universities
· 14 Universities aiming at World Class Standards
· 16 Universities in States which do not have a Central University at present
Location of New IITs/ IIMs.
Location of 4 IITs (in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh), and
one IIM (at Shillong) have already been announced. The Central Government has now
decided to locate the remaining 4 IITs and 6 IIMs in the following States :-
IITs - Orissa, Madhya Pradesh (Indore), Gujarat and Punjab
IIMs - Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Uttarakhand
and Haryana In addition, it is also proposed to convert the Institute of Technology of the
Banaras Hindu University into an IIT. Admission to this Institute is already based on the
IIT – Joint Entrance Examination.
 Location of 14 World Class Universities
As regards 14 Central Universities aiming at World Class Standards, it has been
considered necessary that these are located in or near selected large cities which would
automatically have the kind of connectivity and infrastructure which such universities
would need. Accordingly, it has been decided to locate one such University in each of the
14 States/Region as shown in the List below, and to request concerned State
Governments to identify adequate land in or near the selected cities.
State-wise List of Cities identified for locating 14 Central ( World Class ) Universities
during the 11th Plan would aim to achieve world class standards :-
State City1. Maharashtra – Pune 2. West Bengal - Kolkata' 3. Tamil Nadu -
Coimbatore, 4.Karnataka - Mysore, 5. Andhra Pradesh - Vishakapatanam, 6. Gujarat
Gandhinagar.7.ajasthan - Jaipur, 8. Bihar - Patna, 9. Madhya Pradesh - Bhopal,10. Kerala
- Kochi, 11. Punjab - Amritsar, 12. Orissa - Bhubaneshwar, 13. Uttar Padesh - Greater
NOIDA, 14. North Eastern Region – Guwahati”
Location of 16 Central Universities in Uncovered States
16 States which do not have a Central University at present, and which will get one
Central University each in the 11th Plan are Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir,
Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Goa. Of these, in three States,
existing State Universities will be taken over by the Central Government and converted
into Central Universities. These three Universities are Dr. Hari Singh Gaur University,
Sagar (in Madhya Pradesh), Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur (in Chhattisgarh), and
Goa University.
Establishment of IITs, IIMs and Central Universities in the above States is subject to
State Governments offering adequate land at suitable locations, free of cost, for the
purpose. Each of the concerned State Government is being requested to offer land
accordingly. Actual establishment of these institutions would however depend, among
other things, on how quickly the concerned State Governments respond by allotting
adequate land at suitable locations.
( This information was also given by Ms D. Purandeshwari Minister of State, HRD
in Lok Sabha in April, 2008 )
 Chapter 2
Bathinda in Picture
Bathinda in picture :
On July 13, 2008, Sukhbir Singh Badal, the then working president of the ruling
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), while listening to the problems being faced by residents
of Bathinda, had announced that the Punjab government has sent a proposal to the
Human Resource Development Ministry for setting up a Central University in
Bathinda.

Team visited Bathinda July 18, 2008

A three-member Central Team, comprised Sunil Kumar, joint secretary and Renu
Batra, joint secretary, UGC, along with eminent educationists, after visiting
Kapurthala, visited Bathinda to examine the feasibility of establishing a Central
University in the district.
This team accompanied by the officiating Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, and
other officers visited four sites to look for a suitable place where the proposed
University would come up. It visited villages- Sardargarh-Karamgarh , Ghudda, Gehri
Devi Nagar, Gehri Bhagi, Kotshamir and , Tungwali .

The district administration tried to convince the team to select the district for
setting up the Central University here. The team was informed that in Malwa and in
the neighbouring districts of Rajsthan and Haryana, there is a need of such a
University.

The team members inquired about the feasibility, road approach and connectivity. The basic
requirement for the University was 500 acres of land, which would be acquired by the district
administration, after receiving funds from the state government. Confirming the facts, officiating
DC Vijay Zade said, “We have tried our best to convince them about the sound prospects of a
University in Bathinda.” About the acquisition of land, he said, “the sites which we have shown
them, are all in private hands, but there is no building on them. Soon after getting the nod about
any particular site, the acquisition process would be initiated on a war footing.”

A Confusion & Clarification:

There was a confusion in the minds of people of Amritsar that the Central
University was being shifted from Amritsar to Bathinda. In order to remove this
confusion, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab held Sangat Darshan
Programme, on August 1, 2008, and while visiting five different wards of Amritsar
South Assembly Constituency, clarified to media persons and said that the recent
news as reported in a few of the newspapers regarding the shifting of World Class
Central University from Amritsar to Bathinda is absolutely baseless. “There is no plan
whatsoever regarding shifting of this University; it would be set up in Amritsar and
Amritsar alone”, he asserted.
A Crucial Step :
Then another impotent step was taken on September 1, 2008. It was on this
date that a high-level meeting, called by Mr. Kutty Nayyar Principal Secretary of the
Prime Minister, was held in Prime Minister Office (PMO ). It was attended by S.
Rameshinder Singh, the then Chief Secretary, Punjab, and all officials of the
concerned Departments of the Government of India, It took stock of all pending
Projects including the location of Central University of Punjab. On the
recommendations of the Team, which had visited Punjab in July, 2008, selected
Bathinda for the Central University. But the actual site was either not disclosed or not
finalized.

Chapter 3
Mistake Corrected

The mistake which Badal corrected:

May be on account of saving money or because of pressure of Punjab University
Teachers Association ( PUTA ), Badal had recommended to the Government of India, to
convert Punjab University, Chandiarh into a Central University. This move was opposed
by various sections including academicians and politicians
Among the Punjab scholars, academicians and public spirited men who opposed
the Badal government’s initial decision, said such a move would have adversely
affected not only Punjab’s claims over Chandigarh but also the University’s
commitment to propagation of Punjabi language, culture and tradition.
It was said the Punjab Government will no doubt save Rs 16 crore every year
but will cause incalculable harm to Punjab.
Some senior academicians and former Vice-Chancellors formed a ‘Save Panjab
University Forum’ and met in Ludhiana’s GGN Khalsa College where former
Secretary Higher Education, Dr Manmohan Singh, explained the disadvantages of
the central takeover of the varsity.
Guru Nanak Dev University former Vice-Chancellor Dr S.P. Singh said the
Panjab University had a closely-knit relationship with Punjabi language, culture
and distinct Punjabi identity which would be lost with the Central Status.
Punjabi University former vice-Chancellor Dr. J.S. Puar averted that Central
Status to Varsity will neither enhance its status nor academic standard. “It would
have dwarfed the University by weaning it away from its legitimate heritage.”
Other academicians present were GNDU former Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof
Prithipal Singh, Punjab School Education Board Secretary Prof J.S. Sidhu and
former principals of government colleges and schools. Dr Darshan Singh, a
Chandigarh based scholar often consulted by the SGPC, also strongly opposed the
move.
Some professors from Panjab University tried to gain support of Prof Randhir
Singh, the giant among academics in India and a scholar of Marxism, but he
refused saying the PU, Chandigarh academics were only interested for their
narrow gains of salary and funds, not for any better reason.
Then immediately on Sept. 2, 2008, Punjab Government took a u-turn on
Central Varsity Status for Panjab University Chandigarhp and backtracked on its decision
to grant a Central University Status to Panjab University, Chandigarh, keeping in view
the "misgivings in the minds of the intelligentsia". Letters from Punjab Chief Minister
Parkash Singh Badal in this regard were sent to the Centre.
Badal, who was in Patiala on that day, said that the government sent the letters after
reviewing its earlier decision of supporting PU's cause. "I have written to the Prime
Minister and Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh not to grant
central university status to PU.", he further said.
( Earlier on August 26, the Punjab government had sent a communiqué to the Centre
with regard to its go-ahead to the matter.)
A letter of thanks was written to CM by the Forum of academicians which is
reproduced below::

PUNJAB FORUM FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, CHANDIGARH

Convener Secretary
Dr. Manmohan Singh
I.A.S. (Retd.) Former Secretary,
Former Secretary, Higher Education Pb.
Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb.& Tel. No. 0172 - 2212339
Former Director Technical Educational Pb.

We are extremely happy to learn that Punjab Govt. have withdrawn its letter of consent for changing
the status of Panjab University to that of a Central University . We thank Punjab Govt. for hearing the voice
of educationists and other Punjabis and taking timely corrective action.

We express our deep gratitude to all educationists, intellectuals, writers, politicians, bureaucrats and all
other Punjabis spread all over the globe who have responded positively to the voice of veteran educationists
and prevailed upon Punjab Govt. to review its decision. We are grately thankful to the media, particularly
the Punjabi media, which has played a stellar role in this matter.

We appeal to the Central Govt. to accept the latest recommendation of the Punjab Govt. in this matter.
We also appeal to the Central and State Govts. to find ways and means to remove the financial difficulties
of universities, colleges, schools and other educational institutions of the State. We also urge the Central
and State Govts to raise the retirement age of all teachers – from Primary School to University level – to 65
years in view of enhanced life expectancy and nationwide shortage of competent teachers.

Dr. J.S. Puar, Former Vice Chancellor Punjabi University , Patiala . Dr. Manmohan Singh I.A.S. (Retd.), Former Secretary,
Higher Education Pb,. Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb. & Former Director Technical Education Pb., Dr. Bhagat Singh,Former Vice
Chancellor Punjabi University , Patiala . & Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb.: Prof. Harbux Singh, Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb. &
Former Chairman Punjab School Education Board.: Dr. K.S. Aulakh , Former vice Chancellor Punjab Agricultural University
Ludhaina:. Prof. Sarwan Singh, Former Chairman Punjab School Edu. Board:. Principal Har Narinder Singh, Former Chairman
Punjab School Edu. Board. Dr. S. P. Singh, Former Vice-Chancellor
Guru Nanak Dev University , AmritsarProf. Pirthi Pal Singh Kapoor Former Pro-Vice Chancellorr, Guru Nanak Dev University ,
Amritsar: Shri Mukhtiar Singh, Former Chairman Punjab School Edu. Board. Shri K.S. Gil, Former D.P.I. (Colleges) Pb
Prof. J..S.. Sidhu, Former Secretary, Pb. School Education Board.
 Chapter 4
MoF Wall & Criticism
Central Universities Plan runs into MOF Wall
The whole plan had encountered a roadblock on Sept. 6, 2008 when the Finance
Ministry insisted that a clearance of the Expenditure Committee (EFC) was to be sought
before the is introduced in the Paliament as the EFC clearance was mandatory for
projects estimated to cost over Rs. 100 crore-the 16 new Universities were expected to
cost over Rs. 5,000 crore.
A high-level meeting was held to resolve the issue and expedite the passage of the
Bill.
The Establishment of New Universities was also criticised :
There was also a criticism of establishing New Central Universities on Sept. 23 2008..
It was from two angles-one in general & the other particular in case of Punjab.
a) In general, it was said that the proposed Central Universities were not just
about improving higher education in India. In many cases, they seem to have more
to do with politics than anything else, with Chief Ministers and political groupings
pushing for vested interests in the name of education. The Human Resource
Development (HRD) ministry was at the receiving end, at least in some cases .

The latest such case involved the demand from Tamil Nadu to name the Central
University in the State after DMK Patriarch and State Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
Interestingly, the said University was first proposed at Trichy, which had locational
and infrastructural advantage over other sites. It was however moved to Thiruvarur,
a remote place which HRD officials say is not "very suitable" (it is about 300 km from
Chennai). Its only advantage -- it is very close to Karunanidhi’s birth place,
Thirukuvalai..

If that wasn’t enough, Tamil Nadu Education Minister had also written to HRD
Ministry to name the said University as Dr Kalaignar (meaning “artist”) M
Karunanidhi University after the Chief Minister, who is a a strong UPA ally. There,
however, is a problem with this demand, ministry sources say. "We have no
precedence of naming government-funded universities after people who are alive.
There are only three existing universities named after legends once they had
passed . These are: Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala; JNU Delhi and Maulana
Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad."

Another such situation had arisen in the case of Uttarakhand, where politics
inspired the demand to upgrade the existing Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal
State University to a central one. H.N. Bahuguna was a Congress stalwart from the
region; his son Vijay Bahuguna was a Congress MP from Tehri Garhwal..

The demands continued, with the ministry gave central status for two more
universities — located in the stronghold of HRD minister Arjun Singh. These were
Guru Ghasi Das University, Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh and Hari Singh Gour University,
Sagar in Madhya Pradesh.
 Even state governments are using the occasion to score political points.

• Punjab has managed a consensus (to locate the central university) in favour
of Bathinda, the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal’s stronghold. Post-delimitation,
this formerly reserve constituency fell open; it was being nursed by Sukhbir
Singh Badal, SAD president and son of Chief Minister Parkash SinghBadal.
• In Himachal Pradesh too, the ruling BJP got HRD ministry’s nod to locate the
university at Kangra, a BJP bastion, from where Rajya Sabha member Shanta
Kumar won many elections but the last one.
• Ranchi beat Dhanbad in the race for the varsity, thanks to the clout of Ranchi
Congress MP Subodh Kant Sahay. Political groups in Dhanbad even wrote to
the Prime Minister but could not quite manage it for themselves.

b) In particular, the location of Central University of Punjab in Bathinda was

opposed on Oct. 2008 A Senior Congress leader and former minister Partap Singh
Bajwa had charged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal with discriminating against
Punjab at large for the benefit of the Bathinda parliamentary constituency alone.
Bajwa, in a letter addressed to the people of the State, said “90 per cent of all new
projects, including those with Central funding, were being allocated to the proposed
Bathinda parliamentary constituency without any thought to planning, economic
feasibility or viability. The Congress leader said the only logic behind this was that
the Chief Minister’s son Sukhbir Badal was SAD candidate from the constituency. He
said this was leading to several mismatches. Giving an example, he said the new
Central university was being set up in Bathinda even though it had five premier
universities, while a backward area like Gurdaspur was crying for an institute of
higher learning.”

Bajwa further said “prestigious projects coming up in Bathinda included an

international cricket stadium and a new thermal plant in Mansa district, while Majha
and Doaba regions did not have any thermal plants.”

He said similarly massive upgradation of irrigation facilities, including Dhapali,

Bathinda and Phul distributaries, was being done when canals in Amritsar, Gurdaspur
and Jalandhar districts were in desperate need of repair, maintenance and
improvement.

The Congress leader said it was also noteworthy that no allocation had been made
for flood-control measures, which led to recent floods in Doaba and Firozepur
districts. Badal was the Chief Minister of the entire state and not Bathinda alone and
that Majha and Doaba regions should not be deprived of development, finances and
new projects. “This discrimination amounts to the betrayal of the trust reposed in
him by people of these two regions,” he added.

Bajwa demanded “establishment of a high-powered state development council with

equal representation from all regions, including the Opposition, to serve as a
watchdog body to approve and oversee the distribution of funds and projects in
Punjab.”

It can be clearly seen that Bajwa’s statement was purely political.

 Chapter 5
Process Started & Bill 2008 Introduced

Establishment of 12 New Central Universities Approved

On 3rd Oct. 2008, the Central Government gave its approval for establishment of 12
new Central Universities in 12 States and taking over and conversion of four existing
State Universities and it was also decided that .a Bill for this purpose would be
introduced in the Parliament.

Process started for establishment:

In Oct. 2008, or even earlier( as in case of Punjab ), the government had initiated
the process of establishment of 12 New Central Universities by sending site selection
committees for these institutions. Several committees, which have been set up by
the HRD Ministry, have started visiting the sites offered by the state governments to
assess the "suitability" of the locations. One committee, as we have seen, had visited
the site offered by Punjab. Two committees would visit the proposed sites in Tamil
Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, a senior ministry official said. The committees would
mainly study the availability of required land, connectivity to the place by air, rail,
road and other facilities at the locations. As per the criteria, the state governments
are supposed to provide about 500 acres of land free for the setting up of a central
university. These institutes, which would be Centres of Excellence in various areas of
science and humanities, are expected to come up at "ideal" locations so that they
could concentrate on academic activities and take up research on developmental
issues, the official said. The government had allocated Rs 2,725 crore for these
universities during the 11th Plan, while Rs 50 crore for 2008-09 under the UGC
grants, he said.

The UGC had prepared detailed project reports for these universities.. The ball
started rolling after the Cabinet approved the establishment of these universities.

On Oct. 16, 2008, in Lok Sabha Bulletin Part II there were 39 Bills on Agenda and the
Central Universities Bill 2008 was at No,18 which was introduced on Oct 23, 2008 in Lok
Sabha. It was “an Umbrella Legislation” sought to establish 12 new Central Universities and
upgrade four existing State Universities as Central Universities.

After introduction of the Bil,l the locations of Central Universities were announced on
Nov. 22, 2008, to have 16 Central Universities in States that do not have any.
Following are the States and the locations in those States that are being championed by
those States. In four( at that time ) States existing Universities were to be upgraded to
Central University Status:-

1.Bihar – Near Motihari, East Champaran District; 2 Chhatisgarh – Guru Ghasidas

University, Bilaspur will be upgraded (approved by cabinet); 3.Goa – Goa University
was approved by cabinet; but now the state has changed its mind 4.Gujarat –
Gandhinagar; 5.Haryana – Mirzapur Bachhor Village In Mahendergarh District; 6.
 Himachal Pradesh – Kangr; 7. Jharkhand – Khunti (near Ranchi); 8. J & K – Dual
Campus in Jammu & Srinagar; 9. Karnataka – Suntanur-Kadaganchi on the Aland
Road , Gulbarga; 10.Kerala – Kasaragod; 11. Madhya Pradesh – Dr. Hari Singh
Gaur University, Sagar will be upgraded (approved by cabinet); 12. Orissa – Koraput;
13. Punjab –Bathinda;14.Rajasthan – Bikaner; 15. Tamil Nadu – Tiruvarur; 16.
Uttarakhand – Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University will be upgraded
(approved by cabinet)

Chapter 6

Site in Bathinda Disclosed in Stages

a) Three Sites identified, CM

On Sept. 26, 2008 the Punjab Chief Minister said that three sites, namely
Tungwali, Gehri Devigarh, and Ghudda in Bathinda District had been identified for
setting up the Central University. The State Government would provide a land for this
purpose, whereas the Centre would provide funds for development of the Campus.
b)Nov. 23, 2008 : Ghudda decided as the place of Central University
The site for the proposed Central University in Bathinda was finally decided. The
move came months after the government had announced that Punjab had sent a
proposal to the Union Human Resource Department Ministry for setting up a Central
University in the State. A team from the higher education and human resource
department had, as we have noted earlier, visited the city to conduct a survey and
decide on a site for the university campus. The team had given its nod for
constructing a sprawling campus at Ghudha village on Badal road.( but it was not
disclosed ). Before deciding, five sites were seen by the team including Sardargarh,
Gehri Devigarh,. The team decided upon this site only after the villagers gave a go-
ahead in this regard. A temporary campus was also in the pipeline before the actual
campus comes up. On Dec. 5, 2008, for the 1st time publically announced that the
Central University would come up at Ghudda next year. Thereafter, at various other
places Badal had said that he was “giving a gift to the village of his ancestors”.
Badal paid Pitri-Rin:
According to old Indian tradition there are three types of Rin ( debts ) which an
individual is supposed to pay in his life-time. These are Dev-Rin ( Debt to God- the
Almighty ); Rishi-Rin ( Debt. to Teachers ); and Pitri-Rin ( Debt to Ancestors ). By
selecting Ghudda for the Central University of Punjab, it seems Badal has paid Pitri-
Rin though belated. But, as it is said “better late than never”.
Gurdas Singh Badal, the younger brother of Prakash Singh Badal, visited Ghudda
on the occasion of Kabaddi Tounament in the first week of Feb., 2009. He in his folk
wisdom said that “after 10/15 years there would be no person in Ghudda without
Pents”. It meant that Ghudda would be moderanised.
The writer of these lines had also arranged for Akhand Path of Shri Guru Granth
Sahib in a Gurdwara (on behalf of all residents of Ghudda ) on Feb.27, 2009, the
Bhog was held on March 1, 2009. It was to thank first of all The Almighty, then Dr.
Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India ( who conceptualized at least one Central
University in every State of India ) then last but not least Prakash Singh Badal who
was instrumental in the selection of Ghudda for the Central University for the whole
of Punjab.
 Chapter 7
Passage of Bill 2008 Delayed

Though the Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Dec. 15, 2008 & sent to
Rajya Sabha, It was delayed because the Goa Government had reverted its earlier
decision and on Dec. 2, 2008, decided not to convert Goa University into Central
University.
It was already decided on Nov. 15, 2008 that the State Government of Goa
would ask the Centre to delete Goa University’s name from the Bill pending in
Parliament regarding the upgradation to a Central University which it had, in fact,
consented to it in 2007. Based on a letter from the chief Minister on November 22,
2007, the Centre had included Goa University in the Bill.

Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik, who was also on the HRD Ministry’s
Standing Committee, said the State government had “realised its mistake”. “The Goa
government, had, no doubt, consented to the upgradation of Goa University to a
Central University, but it realised that the advice was wrong and hence the Chief
Minister had to write a ‘hold on’ letter on October 3 this year to HRD Minister Arjun
Singh.”

Naik said erasing Goa University’s name from the list by making an amendment
to the Bill even at this stage was possible. He added that in principle the Centre’s
proposal to establish a Central University had found favour in the State, but there
was a division of opinion on whether the existing University should be upgraded or
Goa should have an independent Central University.
A major worry of opponents to Goa University’s Centralisation was whether a
Central University would protect local requirements and aspirations. Naik pointed out
that Clause 6, sub-clause 2 of the Bill stated, “It shall be the endeavour of the
University to maintain an all-India character and high standards of teaching and
research.” As per Clause 6, sub-clause 2, “admission of students and recruitment of
faculty should be made on an all-India basis”. Although clause 7 allowed for making
special provisions for the employment or admission of women, persons with
disabilities or of persons belonging to the weaker sections of the society, it clarified
that “no such special provision shall be made on grounds of domicile”.

The Central Universities Bill, 2008 as introduced in Lok Sabha, was already
referred to the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human
Resource Development. Members were informed that the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, in
consultation with the Speaker, Lok Sabha, had referred the above Bill, as introduced
in the Lok Sabha and pending therein, to the Department-related Parliamentary
Standing Committee on Human Resource Development, for examination, and report
within the first week from the first day of the next sitting of the current (214th)
Session of Rajya Sabha, scheduled to begin on 10th December, 2008.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee for HRD met on Dec.15,2008
in Room No.63 !st Floor at 4.30 pm to consider & adopt Report 212
on the Central Universities Bill,
 On Dec 17, 2008, in its Report, the Parliamentary Panel had suggested that a proposal to
upgrade Goa University into a Central University be dropped at present and efforts made in this
regard later.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on HRD on the Central Universities Bill 2008 said
that the views both in favour and against the upgradation of Goa University into a Central
University seemed to have some substance.

"The Committee is of the opinion that the provision relating to upgradation of Goa University
into a Central University be dropped at this stage. Efforts may, however, be made to evaluate the
situation with a holistic and balanced approach to ensure that Goa does not remain the only state
without a Central University," it said.

In its report presented to both Houses of Parliament, the Committee noted that there were
divergent views with one section referring to the admission of students on all-India basis, thus
affecting the locals. The other view was that the move would provide solution for resource crunch
and faculty shortage.

But the Bill proposed to establish 12 new Central Universities in the States which do not have
a Central University so far and to upgrade four existing State Universities

into Central Universities.

Center agreed to drop the proposal to upgrade Goa University

On Dec.22, 2009,the Union government had accepted the recommendations of the

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development (HRD) and proposed to
move official amendments to the Central Universities Bill, 2008 to delete the name of the Goa
University from the list of varsities to be upgraded.
However, on account of paucity of time the Central Universities Bill could not come up
for consideration and passing and left for the next Parliament Session, which was convened in
February, 2009.
 Chapter 8
Ordinance Route

By the end of the year 2008, the situation had become very crucial because the
Bill
Could not be passed due to the u-turn of Goa Government’s decision and its
acceptance by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Dec. 17 & by the Union
Government on Dec. 22. The Bill had to be revised and the Bill of 2008 had to be
withdrawn. There was no other way except to follow the Ordinance Route.
Hence, the government had finally taken the first solid step towards reforming higher
education. The Union Cabinet decided to issue an Ordinance to set up 12 Central Universities
and upgrade 3 existing ones to that level on the 8 th of January 2009. The issuing of the Ordinance
became necessary as the Parliament could not clear the Central Universities Bill,2008 in its last Session
due to lack of time and also because a lot of preparatory work needs to be done to operationalize the New
Universities. The move was in fulfillment of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s assurance to the
nation on the Independence Day 2007 that 30 Central Universities would be set up during the ongoing 11th
Five Year Plan to ensure that each State has at least one Central University. The States where these
Universities would be located were already selected and the process of acquisition of land for the purpose
had begun.

The decision was taken by the Union Cabinet in the wake of elaborate preparations
required to be taken before the Universities could be set up for the next academic session. The
government had no choice but to bring an Ordinance as Parliament was not in session.
With the decision of the Cabinet, the long-pending matter of Central Universities was
resolved. The establishment of these Universities was part of the UPA’s promise to improve
access to higher education and increase India’s gross enrollment ratio from 10 per cent to 15
per cent by the end of the 11th five year plan.
After much trouble (the Law Ministry had problems with the Bill), the Central Universities
Bill 2008 was finally introduced in the Lok Sabha on October 23 last and later referred to the
department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on human resource development. The
Committee presented its report on December 17 last, the Bill could not be passed in
Parliament.
The government said the proposed Ordinance contained all the provisions of the Bill, 2008
pending in the Lok Sabha as well as the changes required to be implemented in accordance
with the standing committee’s recommendations. .
The only State University whose conversion into a central one was dropped was the Goa
University.

Ordinance promulgated.
On Jan.16, 2009, the Government took the Ordinance route to set up 12 new Central
Universities and upgrade another three existing varsities in time for the next academic session,
the Union Cabinet decided on Friday.
While the New Universities woul be set up in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,
Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu,
those set to be upgraded and converted into Central Universities are the Harisingh Gour
Vishwavidyalaya in Madhya Pradesh, the Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Chhattisgarh and
the Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University , Uttarakhand.
Goa University and Panjab University would not be getting Central University Status after the
respective State Governments asked for maintenance of status quo.
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry had issued a statement saying that “the
proposed Ordinance would contain all the provisions of the Central Universities Bill, 2008
pending in the Lok Sabha, with such changes as may be necessary to implement the accepted
recommendations of the departmental Parliamentary Standing Committee”.
 Chapter 9
Final Steps
In the beginning of the year 2009, the process of establishing CentralUniversities
was expedited, particularly after promulgation of Ordinance. It was a two-way
process- one, revising the Bill & its passage by the Centre, two, acquisition of land
for the Central University in village Ghudda ( and also in other States of India ) Both
steps, one by the Centre and the other by the State were almost simultaneous. In
this Chapter we take up the steps by the Centre i.e. replacing the Ordinance by a
new Bill after withdrawing the previous one.
The Centre prepared a Revised Bill, in the 1st half of Jan. 2009, for the creation of 15
new Central Universities for the next academic session. The Union HRD Ministry
prepared the bill which was placed before the Cabinet.

With the opening up of these 15 New Universities the Government aimed to add over
30,000 seats within five years, which would provide relief to the country’s over-stretched
higher education system. Suitable changes were made by the ministry to introduce New
Bill for the New Central Universities.

15th Session of Parliament

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi
informed during a press conference on Feb. 11, 2009, that the 15th Session of the Fourteenth
Lok Sabha and the 215th Session of the Rajya Sabha would commence on February 12, 2009,
and conclude on February 26, 2009 subject to exigencies of Government Business. The
Session would provide 10 sittings spread over a period of 15 days, he mentioned

The President addressed a joint session of both Houses of Parliament at 11.00 a.m. on
February 12, 2009. The Interim Railway Budget for 2009-10 was presented in the Lok Sabha on
February 13, 2009 immediately after the Question Hour, and the Interim General Budget for
2009-10 at 11.00 a.m. on February 16, 2009.

Shri Vayalar Ravi had held a meeting with Secretaries/senior officers of the concerned
Ministries/Departments on 5.02.2009 to finalize the Government Business for the ensuing
Session of Parliament. 39 items (27 Bills, 10 Financial items and 2 Non-Legislative items) had
been identified for consideration during this Session. These included three Bills replacing
Ordinances, namely: (i) the High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of
Service) Amendment Ordinance, 2009 (No. 1 of 2009); (ii) the Central Industrial Security Force
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2009 (No. 2 of 2009); and (iii) the Central Universities Ordinance,
2009 (No. 3 of 2009), promulgated by the President

On 17. Feb. 2009 Lok Sabha passed Cent. Univs. Bill of 2009

The Bill to set up 12 Central universities in States and converting three existing ones to the
same status ( tabled on Feb. 13 ), introduced on Feb.17 was passed by Lok Sabha on Feb.19,
2009...

The Central Universities Bill, 2009 was passed by a voice vote It aimed at creating one New
Central University each in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,
Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

It also sought to convert Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Chhattisgarh, Harisingh Gour

Vishwavidyalaya in Madhya Pradesh and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna University in Uttarakhand
into Central Universities.

Replying to a debate on the bill, Minister of State for HRD D Purandeshwari said the aim of
spending six per cent of GDP on education has to be shared by the Centre and the State
governments and urged States not to reduce their share of expenditure in this regard.

Passed by Rajya Sabha on Feb. 24, 2009

The Central Universities Bill establishing 12 New Central Universities from scratch
and upgrading three State Universities was passed in the Rajya Sabha on 24th Feb 2009.
(It was earlier introduced in the Lok Sabha on 17th Feb 2009 and passed in the Lok
Sabha on 19th Feb 2009. Together with that the earlier Bill was withdrawn).

On March 20, 2009 The Bill became Act No. 3 of 2009 with the signatures of
President.

Bill Summary

The Central Universities Bill, 2009

�The
 Central Universities Bill, 2009, was tabled in the Lok Sabha Feb.13,, 2009.
�The Bill seeks to establish Central Universities in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,
Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
It also seeks to convert Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Chhattisgarh, Doctor Harisingh
Gour Vishwavidyalaya in Madhya Pradesh and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University
in Uttarakhand into Central Universities.
�The objects of each University shall be to impart knowledge by providing instructional and
research facilities in specified branches, to make special provisions for integrated courses in
humanities, social sciences, science and technology, to establish linkages with industries for the
promotion of science and technology.
�The University shall have the power to provide instructions in such branches as determined
by it, to grant diplomas or degrees on basis of examinations, to confer honorary degrees, to
provide facilities through distance education system, to institute and award fellowships,
scholarships and mm.prizes, to determine standards of admission to the university, and to
enforce discipline among students and employees.
�The President of India shall be the Visitor of the University. He has the power to review the
work of the University and submit a report. The Visitor may, after obtaining the views of the
Executive Council (principal executive body of the University) take such action as necessary
and the University shall be obliged to follow.
�After calling upon the Registrar to show cause why such an action shall not be taken, the
Visitor may annul any proceedings of the University which does not conform to the Act.
�The Bill lists the officers of the University as the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro-
Vice Chancellor, the Deans of Schools, the Registrar, the Finance Officer, the Controller of
Examinations and the Librarian. The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor shall be appointed by the
Visitor in the prescribed manner. Other officers shall be appointed in the manner as prescribed
in the Statutes.
�The Authorities of the University include the Court, the Executive Council, the Academic
Council, the Board of Studies, and the Finance Committee. The constitution of these Authorities
and terms of office of their members shall be as prescribed.
�The University is bound to follow such directions on questions of policy as the central
government deems necessary in public interest.

[ See Appendix II for 12 New Central Universities and 3 State Universities

converted with their Jurisdiction from The Gazette of India Extraordinary ]
 Chapter 10
Final Steps byPunjab Govt.

Jan.1,2009: The anxiety and eagerness of Prakash Singh Badal, the Chief Minister
Punjab could be seen that he started his new year ( 2009 ) by enquiring about the position of
Central University of Punjab. The very first issue he took up at his residential office was to know
from Ms Anjali Bhanwra, I.A.S., the then Education Secretary, the progress of the Central
University, as reported in the media.

Acquisition of Land for Central University at Ghudda

l
On Jan. 10, 2009, a six-member Action Committee of village Ghudda, including
Harpal Singh, Herdev Singh, and Baljinder Singh agitated against the acquisition of land
for the Central University saying that at least 80 families would be rendered landless in
Ghudda, the ancestral village of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, where more than 500 acres
of fertile land was being acquired for setting up the Central University. Actually they were not
against the University but demanded higher compensatin for their land..
Process of Land Aquisition By Pb. Govt. started:
Notice under Section 4 dated Jan.19, appeared in newspapers on Jan.22, 2009, for acquisition
of 544 acres, 2 kanals and 4 marlas, under which one month notice was given to file objections if
any. Then, notice Under Section 6, issued on Feb.21 , appeared in newspapers on Feb.24,2009.
During this period District Committee decided the rates for compensation. in its meeting held
on Jan.27, 2009, which were lower than the promised rates. But with the passage of time the rates
were acceptable because of interest added to it..
Then there was a demand from the farmers that payment should be made in one go and not in
instalments. On Jan.29,2009: at village Kaljhrani, the CM assured lumpsum payment and the
farmers were satisfied.
On 17 Feb. 2009, Badal held a Sangat Darshan programme in the village
Ghudda, where senior officials of all departments concerned were present. The
meeting was held to assess public views before finalising the overall development
projects for the village.

The CM said the development was being undertaken in view of the Central
University project, for which acquisition of land would start soon. The village would
get Rs 5 crore in lieu of the chunk of Panchayat land acquired for the University.

In the meeting, a US-based team of landscapists, PSEB Chairman, Director General,

School Education and Secretaries of various departments were present along with the
Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, and senior police officers.
 On 4 March, 2009, Upinderjit Kaur, Education Minister, Punjab informed the
House ( which was in Session ) that the Central University was being setup at Ghudda
village in Bathinda district. To acquire land measuring 544 acres, two kanal and four
marla for this purpose, a notification had already been issued. For the payment of
compensation to the land owners an amount of Rs 166 crore had been sanctioned, she
Said while to the land owners an amount of Rs 166 crore had been sanctioned, she said
while pointing out that this University would help in expansion and improvement of
quality education in the region.
Elections to the Lok Sabha were announced on March 7, 2009 & Code of
Conduct was enforced. Therefore Special Permission was sought as the process had
already been started much earlier and the same was given..
The payment to the land owners started to be paid from April 14, 2009.
Faultless Acquisition:
It is to be noted that, unlike many other cases, the entire process of land acquisition in
case of Central University was meticulously planned and faultlessly executed, The
Affidavit to be given by the beneficiaries was prepared in such a way that there was no
scope left for any litigation between the beneficiary and the State, ( there are of course,
some cases between the beneficiaries themselves ) The credit for faultless & speedy
acquisition goes to Ms Anjali Bhanwra, I.A.S., the then Education Secretary; Mr. Rahul
Tiwari, I.A.S., Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Mr. K.P.S. Mahi & Mr. Balinderjit
Singh ( SDMs, one after the other ); Ms. Savita, Tehsildar; Mr. Karnail Singh Bhullar
( Naib-Tehsildar ); Mr. Gurdip Singh, Patwari ( Ghudda ); Mr. Gurtej Singh Patwari
( Jhumba ); and Mr. Rajinder Singh ( Technical Assistant ).
 Chapter 11
Vice Chancellor Appointed

On February 28, 2009, internationally renowned Geneticist Dr Jai Rup Singh, Vice-
Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev (GND) University, was one of the 15 academicians who were
appointed Vice-Chancellor of new Central Universities of the Country. Appointed VC of GND
University on July 22, 2006, he is considered to be the pioneer in India in human genetics:
prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of genetic diseases.
The three-year term of Dr Jai Rup Singh as VC, GND varsity, would have ended on July 22,
2009. Dr Jai Rup Singh is the son of eminent Punjabi scholar, late Prof Pritam Singh, and
grandson of Giani Sahib Singh, a Sikh scholar.
A FIMSA recipient, Dr Jai Rup Singh, had stint as scientific advisor of the GENDIA
International Foundation, USA; Chairman of the Indian Genetic Alliance for the Prevention of
Genetic Disorders and Care of the Families; and President of the Indian Society of Human
Genetics (2001-02). Besides, he has also represented Asia as Vice-President of the International
Genetic Alliance, USA; the World Eye Foundation India; and the International Association of
Human Biologists.
Dr Singh did his doctorate from AIIMS in 1973 and joined GND Varsity the same year. He
was elevated to the post of Professor in 1986. He set up the first independent Department of
Human Genetics in India at that University and also established a unique internationally reputed
Centre for Genetic Disorders a first in any Indian University.
Recently, in a major breakthrough, a team led by him and supported by scientists from the
National Institute of Health, USA, and the Institute of Human Genetics, Berlin, Germany, had
identified three new cataract-causing genes in Indian families after 15 years of research.
Dr Singh has published three scientific books, 11 manuals and over 80 research publications.
He has guided over 50 students for PhD, MPhil, MD and MSc. He had successfully organized
four international symposia on human genetics and 12 training workshops. He has also organized
free diagnosis of genetic diseases like thalassemia and also providing genetic diagnosis,
counselling and guidance to patients since 1973.
Dr Singh had been honoured with various medals and awards in recognition of his
commendable services in the field of human genetics.
His appointment was welcomed by all & also by the articulate sections village Ghudda It is a
challenge as well as an opportunity to be a Founding Vice Chancellor of a University in a
backward area.

Vice Chancellors’ Conference at Delhi:

15 New Central Universities, would start functioning from the year 2010-11.
This decision was taken at a two-day Conference during which Vice-Chancellors of
the 15 New Central Universities presented their plans before the University Grants
Commission (UGC. The Conference ended on May 1, 2009.The government
appointed Vice-Chancellors met here for the first time to prepare a roadmap for
making the 15 new Central Universities functional from the 2010-11 Session.
The New VCs had assured UGC that they would be able to start courses in their
institutions. ’Most of them have been given land. They are expected to start certain courses

from the coming session,’ said a UGC official.

The Universities would offer under-graduate, post-graduate, M.Phil and Ph.D programmes,

besides courses on regional issues, said the UGC official.The UGC had already sanctioned

nearly Rs.2 crore to each of these Universities to meet their operational expenditure. Most of

the Universities are expected to start with a temporary campus. Some already have temporary

campuses, said the UGC official.

Punjab Govt. keen to start the University:

The Punjab government was keen to start the academic session of the proposed
Central University 2009 year itself and was trying to find a suitable premises for the
purpose.
Addressing a press meet in Bathinda late on April 25, 2009, Parksh Singh Badal
said, “The Central University has been approved and will come up in Ghudda village
in Bathinda district. The land acquisition process is almost complete. No doubt, the
project has been finalised but the completion of the building may take some time.
So, without wasting any time, special teams have been constituted to search a place
so that the classes can begin.”
“The building of the spinning mill, which is now closed, located on the outskirts of
the city, is being considered as a makeshift alternative for the University. Even the
Vice-Chancellor of the University is here and he has been allotted accommodation,”
Badal added.
 Chapter 12
A Make-Shift Arrangement:
On 11 May, 2009, authorities of the Central University, Punjab were all set to
begin the session with makeshift arrangements in the 37-acre wide premises of a
closed Spinning Mill located near the Industrial Growth Centre in Bathinda. The final
building would come up in Ghudda village.
Teams from various departments visited Bathinda and its periphery to check the
feasibility of some shortlisted locations and checked the feasibility of the
infrastructure. After all the surveys, the Spinning Mill was finally selected.
On Friday, June 19, 2009, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, gave
in principle, approval to lease out the premises of Bathinda Cooperative Spinning Mills
under liquidation for five years to the Central University of Punjab at Bathinda.
Disclosing this a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that this decision had been
taken to enable the University to start its current academic session 2009-10.
On July 8, 2009, the Central University, Punjab (CUP), assumed control of the
premises of the Bathinda Integrated Cooperative Spinning Mills Limited (Bacospin)
after signing a lease to use it as “transit campus” for initial five years. According to
the deed of the agreement, to use the abandoned building of the mill (under
liquidation) on the Mansa road, the University would pay monthly rent of Rs
1,35,800 to the authorities of Bacospin. The lease was signed by Vice-Chancellor Jai
Rup Singh on behalf of the University and Anil Sharma on behalf of Bacospin. The
building and surrounding areas of the sSpinning Mill were deserted for a decade and
required repair. Since there is no electricity and water connection in Bacospin and it
was unfurnished and closed for several years, therefore, the University would
arrange power and water connections.
Getting approval from the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the
UGC the CPWD, Chandigarh, had been renovating the building of the mill by inviting
tenders. At the time of the signing of the agreement, Deputy Commissioner,
Bathinda, Rahul Tewari was also present in the Tehsil office, Bathinda.

Additional Land for University:

On June 30, 2009, the Punjab government approved the site plan of Central University of
Punjab coming up at Bathinda by giving additional 300 ft. wide road linking Badal-Ghudda road
with the University
A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a
meeting with the Vice Chancellor of Central University of Punjab Dr. Jairup Singh. This 300 ft
wide road would be initially developed as 4-lane road which would be later on converted into 8-
lane after the completion of the University Complex. The Chief Minister also gave in principle
approval to allot 45 acres of additional land adjoining to the University for the development of
educational infrastructure with 100 ft wide road access from Badal-Ghudda road. Two mammoth
gates would also be constructed at the exit and entry points of the University Campus to give it
grandeur look by acquiring extra land ( In the meanwhile there was a demand for naming the University. On19
July, 2009, Dr. Chaman Lal wrote a letter to Shri Kapil Sibal that had sent a mail from to Sh. Arjun Singh , then
HRD minister requesting him with sound reasons to name Central University of Bathinda as ‘Shaheed
Bhagat Singh National University. Though the University has been established and has started functioning
also, I again wish to bring it to your notice that this University needs to be named after Bhagat Singh )

Chapter 13

VC’s Message & Additional Facilities in Ghudda

Prof. Dr. Jai Rup Singh

Vice Chancellor

VC MESSAGE

Already in top-gear, the Central University of Punjab is making earnest efforts to initiate its first
academic session from this very year. Having overcome the initial herculean hurdles of finding a suitable
place to make a beginning, the University is all set for making its presence felt in the Malwa region of
Punjab. This university would, in a very short time, become the beacon of higher education in Punjab. In
this student-friendly university, the emphasis would be on quality education and on hands-on practical
training. The best research facilities in the region would be created here. This is evident from the
meticulously planned details for the City Campus of the university which has materialized in the heart of
Bathinda in an area spread over 35 acres. The university has spent 30 million rupees on the renovation this
site which is almost ready to move in.
The City Campus of the university would have the latest facilities including campus-wide wireless
internet connectivity support by optical fiber backbone. Twenty-four hour power supply would be ensured
at the campus through standby generators. Provisions have also been made to extend research facilities to
the faculty as soon as they join.
Keeping in view the needs of the region and the country, eight Schools have been short-listedfor being
established at the university. Each school would have 4 to 8 Centres (Departments) providing instructions
in the latest fields of study in their respective areas. We propose to introduce cross-disciplinary
programmes in tune with the latest trends the world over. Most of the courses would be of integrated nature
and there would be possibilities of switching over from one course to another. Study of one course in
science would be compulsory for those opting for humanities/social sciences and similarly one course of
humanities/social sciences would be compulsory for those joining the science/technology stream.
The university would be following semester system with 100% internal evaluation and continuous
assessment. The university would be following grade point system. A credit transfer mechanism with the
other university would be introduced for the benefit of the students. The students would be able to see their
evaluated answer sheets and they would also be participating in the teacher assessment programs.
The university aims at offering liberal scholarships to the students. All the students joining M.Phil./Ph.D. programs
would be given fellowships. The fees for the various courses would be very nominal.
The main campus of the university would come up near Bathinda. It would be spread over an area of 500 acres. The
construction activity at the main campus would start very soon. The digital survey of the land and also the detailed
geographical estimates about soil bearing capacity and water resources is in process. This Campus would be built on
the concept of Green Campus and all the buildings would be adhering to this concept. The designing of the main
campus would be done by the best architects to be selected through global tenders.

Joining the Central University of Punjab offers a unique opportunity to the students to become a part of
the history by being the first batch of students. For faculty, it is an opportunity to fulfill their academic
dreams and become partners in building up an institution form the very beginning.

Contacts Postal Address

Camp Office: 0164-2240555 Central University of Punjab
City Campus: 0164-2430585-86 P.O. Box-55
Fax: 0164-2240555 Bathinda-151 001
E-mail: cu.punjab.info@gmail.com Website: www.centralunipunjab.com

New Facilities in Ghudda

Village Ghudda seems to become future centre of attraction due to the Central
University. Many facilities follow the University. There will be a College supported by
the Centre. There will also be a Hostel and a Model School. The roads are being
widened.

Cooperative Bank was already there, and two more Banks, namely Oriental
Bank of Commerce and State Bank of Patiala have also opened their Branches, one
after the other:

On Sept.7, 2009,Dr Jai Rup Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab ,
inaugurated 1413th branch of the Oriental Bank of Commerce.. Assistant General Manager A.S. Cheema
said the office was opened for the benefit of the students of the Central University and would also cater to
business in the rural part of this area. J.P. Arya, chief manager, S.K. Garg, chief manager, R.C. Gupta, chief
manager, S.S. Dagar, ARM, Mohit Gupta ARM and prominent personalities from the area were present on
the occasion.
ON SEPT. 30, 2009, State Bank of Patiala opened its 859th branch . It was inaugurated by KD
Vashisht, Assistant General Manager, Region-I, Zonal Office, Bathinda. Vashisht spoke about the aims and
objectives of opening the branch in the region and said the bank was looking forward to the upcoming
Central University, Punjab, to provide services to its staff and students. NK Batra, Assistant General
Manager, Region-III, Bathinda and Hamir Singh, Branch Manager, Ghudda, thanked the Panchayat and the
public for suppor

Tail Piece:

If it had happened in my younger days, I would have stayed here at my birth-place. All wise
men say that “ifs” are not in our hands. Life is not a Cassette which can be replayed. At this stage
of my life and also because of my family’s circumstances I can not make it.

God bless Ghudda ! God bless the University !

Amarjit Singh Dhillon

Nov.30, 2009
 Appendix I

List of those who excelled in various fields from Ghudda

1. S. Pritam Singh ‘Ghudda’[ First Police Officer from Ghudda ]

2. S. Atma Singh Dhillon [ Manager Diary Farm, Patiala State ]
3. S. Balwant Singh Dhillon [ First B.A.B.Com & Forest Supervisor Patiala State ]
4. S. Harchand Singh Dhillon [ First Capt. In Army ]
5. S. Bhag Singh Dhillon [ Capt. In Army ]
6. S. Kuldip Singh Dhillon [ First Col. In Army ]
7. S. Harnek Singh Bhullar [ Lt. Col. In Army ]
8. S. Ajaib Singh Dhillon [ Capt. In Army ]
9. S. Jagjit Singh Bhullar [ Capt. In Army ]
10. Sh. Tirath Ram Sharma [ S.D.O. ]
11. S. Gurmel Singh [ Naib Tehsildar ]
12. S. Jagir Singh [ Manager ]
13. S. Ranjit Singh Sidhu [ A.S.I. ]
14. Sh. Vijya Kumar Goyal [ Executive Officer ]
15. S. Jagtar Singh Dhillon [ Panchayt Officer ]
16. S. Pal Singh S/O Kheta S. [ B.E.O. ]
17. S. Gurmel S. S/O Kheta S. [ B.E.O. ]
18. S. Harpal Singh Dhillon [ Head Master ]
19. Dr. Daljit Kaur Dhillon/Gill [ Medical Doctor ]
20. Dr. Kasturi Lal [ S.M.O. Barnala ]
21. Dr. Puneet Pal [ in service at Delhi ]
22. Dr. Gagan Jot [ in service at Delhi ]
23. Dr. Harmohinder S. Dhillon [ in U.S.A. ]
24. Dr. Gagandip S. Dhillon [ in U.S.A. ]
25. Kritpal Singh Dhillon [ Doing MBBS in AIIMS Delhi ]
26. Sh. R. Goyal [ Eng. Poona ]
27. Sh. G.L. Sharma [ Eng. Poona ]
28. Sh. Rasham Singh [ N.F.L. Bathinda ]
29. Ramandip S. Dhillon [ M. Tech. U.S.A. ]
30. Rajveer S. Dhillon [ B. Tech. U.S.A. ]
 Appendix II

12 New Central Universities & 3 State Universities with Jurisdiction

Registered No DL-(N)04/0007/2003-09
The Gazette of India Extraordinary
Part II-Section I Published by Authority
No.27 New Delhi ,Friday, March 20,2009/29 Phalguna ,1930
THE FIRST SCHEDULE [ New 12 Universities ]
[See Section 3(4)]

Section 3(4) There shall be established ,the University in the various States as bodies
corporate, by such names and territorial jurisdiction ,as specified in the first
Schedule to this Act.
___________________________________________________________________
Serial State Name of the University Territorial Jurisdiction
No.
________________________________________________________
1. Bihar Central University of Bihar Whole of the State of Bihar
2. Gujarat Central University of Gujarat Whole of the State of Gujarat
3. Haryana Central University of Haryana Whole of the State ofHaryana
4. Himachal Pradesh Central University of Himachal Pradesh Whole of the State ofHimachal Pradesh
5. Jammu and Kashmir Central University of Jammu and Kashmir Whole of the State of Jammuand Kashmir
6. Jharkhand Central University of Jharkhand Whole of the State ofJharkhand
7. Karnataka Central University of Karnataka Whole of the State ofKarnataka
8. Kerala Central University of Kerala Whole of the State of Kerala
9. Orissa Central University of Orissa Whole of the State of Orissa
10. Punjab Central University of Punjab Whole of the State of Punjab
11. Rajasthan Central University of Rajasthan Whole of the State ofRajasthan
12. Tamil Nadu Central University of Tamil Nadu Whole of the Stateof Tamil Nadu

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 State Universities Converted
Section 4. On and from the dated of commencement of this Act,-
(a) any reference to Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor Harisingh Gour
Vishwavidyalaya or Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University , in any contract
or other instrument shall be deemed as a reference to Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya,
Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal
University, respectively, established under this Act;
(b) All properties, movable and immovable, of or belonging to Guru Ghasidas
Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya and Hemvati Nandan
Bahuguna Garhwal University, shall vest in Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor
Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya or Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University,
as the case may be, established under this Act.
(c ) all rights and liabilities of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor
Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal
University, shall be transferred to , and be the rights and liabilities of, Guru Ghasidas
Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya and Hemvati Nandan
Bahuguna Garhwal University, respectively, established under this Act;
 (d) every person employed by Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor
Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal
University, immediately before the commencement of this Act shall hold his office or
service in Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya
and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, respectively , established under
this Act by the same tenure, at the same remuneration and upon the same terms and
conditions and with the same rights and privileges as to pension, leave, gratuity,
provident fund and other matters as he would have held the same if this Act had not
been enacted and shall continue to do so unless and until his employment is terminated
or until such tenure, remuneration and terms and conditions are duly altered by the
Statutes;
Provided that if the alteration so made is not acceptable to such employee, his
employment may be terminated by the University in accordance with the terms of the
contract with the employee or, if no provision is made therein in this behalf, on
payment, to him by the University, of compensation equivalent to three months’
remuneration in case of permanent employees and one month’s remuneration in the
case of other employees:
Provided further that every person employed before the commencement of
this Act, pending the execution of a contract under section 33, shall be deemed to have
been appointed in accordance with the provisions of a contract consistent with the
provisions of this Act and the Statutes:
Provided also that any reference, by whatever form of words, to the vice-
Chancellor and Pro-Vice- Chancellor of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Doctor
Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya or Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University,
in any law for the time being in force, or in any instrument or other document, shall be
Map of Land for Cent. Univ. in Ghudda
 Amarjit Singh Dhillon (Dr.)
Brief-Biodata

Place of Birth : Village Ghudda, Dist. Bathinda(Pb.)

(Now a seat of Central University of Punjab)
Recorded Date of Birth : 15 December, 1935

(A) Education

1. Education upto B.A. Balbir High School &

2. M.A. (Pol.Sc.)
3. M.A. (History)
4. M.A. (Pub.Admn.)
5. Gyani(Hons.in Punjabi)
6. Ph.D. (Pub.Admn.)
Birjindra College, Farid Kot
Mohindra College, Patiala (1958)
Mohindra College, Patiala (1960)
Private(Pb.Univ.Chandigarh (1964)
Private(Pb.Univ.Chandigarh(1953)
Pbi.Univ. Patiala (1987)

(B) Academic Work

1. Lecturer Guru Nanak College,Guru Tegbahadur Garh

(1960-61)
2. Lecturer Khalsa College, Patiala (1961-71)
3. Principal Khalsa College,Patiala (1971-74)
4. Director Pbi.Development Punjabi University, Patiala(1974-93)
5. Dean of Colleges Punjabi University,Patiala (1993-97)