IEP Chandigarh, July 25
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that the state government will soon release around Rs 49 crore for construction of new boys hostel and expansion of girls hostel at Panjab University. The Chief Minister, who inspected the sites where these hostels will come up, said that five new floors will come up over the existing two storey building of the girls hostels whereas six storey boys hostel will also come up in the university. He said that these hostels will be constructed while keeping in view the futuristic needs of the students. Bhagwant Mann said that these hostels are the need of hour to ensure that students can focus on their education while studying in university and don’t have to shelve money while living in PGs or other places. The Chief Minister said that Panjab University is the part of great cultural legacy of the state and has produced eminent personalities who have left indelible imprint in various fields. He said that the staff, students and senate members had called on him and urged to construct these hostels. Bhagwant Mann said that keeping in view the needs of the students these hostels will be constructed on modren lines. The Chief Minister said that Punjab government is committed for the holistic development of the university as 175 colleges of the state are affiliated to it. He said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that number of MLAs from his party have also studied from this university only. Bhagwant Mann said that the hostels will not only have rooms with four walls but they will also provide a conducive atmosphere for education. The Chief Minister said that the hostel will have dining hall, common rooms along with neat and clean washrooms. He said that instead of earlier practice of constructing washroom after every six rooms now the bathrooms will be constructed after every four rooms to facilitate the students. Likewise, Bhagwant Mann said that 38 rooms will also be constructed with attached bathrooms for the research scholars and others. The Chief Minister envisioned that once constructed these hostels will offer home like stay to the students during their academic years. He said that students develop emotional bonding with the hostel rooms especially in case their parents or grandparents had stayed there. Bhagwant Mann said that state government is giving major push to education sector in the state be at school, college or university level. Making it clear that Panjab University, Chandigarh is part of emotional, cultural, literature and rich legacy of the state, the Chief Minister categorically said that no college of Haryana will be given affiliation from the university. He bemoaned that regular attempts are being made to change the status of the university. However, Bhagwant Mann said that the Punjab government will not allow any such move to safeguard the interests of the students. Taking a jibe over the statement of Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit over validity of session, the Chief Minister reminded him that even in his view Budget session was also illegal. However, he said that after the Apex court reminded him about the legal provisions then he had given sanction for the session. Bhagwant Mann said that the session was in consonance with the ethos of the constitution of India and was totally legal.
