Haryana has sought restoration of its share in Panjab University, Chandigarh, and also the affiliation of the state’s colleges to Panjab University.

UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a meeting Thursday to discuss the issue. The next meeting will be held on June 5 to finalise the decision.

In the meeting, Khattar pointed out that under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the share of Haryana was given to Panjab University and the colleges and regional centres of Haryana were affiliated to Panjab University. However, this was abolished by issuing a notification in 1973. “In today’s era, the colleges of the states are also being affiliated with international universities. The aim of the National Education Policy is that all educational institutions should cooperate in the progress of the country and the mutual relations of all the states should be further strengthened. Therefore, affiliation of colleges of Haryana should be done with Panjab University, Chandigarh,” Khattar said.

After the meeting, a Haryana government spokesperson said that “positive steps have been taken” towards Haryana’s demands.

“Today, a lot of development is taking place in the field of education. The governments should work to make education accessible to rural areas as well. I exhort both the chief ministers that the matters related to Panjab University should be taken forward with mutual consent. The issue of affiliation of Haryana colleges to Panjab University is not a big issue; it is possible to do so. This collaboration of Haryana and Punjab will certainly be a good start,” Purohit said.

Khattar also suggested to the Punjab government that “if the colleges of Punjab also want to work in association with Haryana for the future of the youth, then they are welcome”.

“Panjab University, Chandigarh is a central university, in which Haryana’s colleges should also have affiliation. The Haryana government, along with the Centre, will take Panjab University forward, so that the university becomes prosperous and its needs are fulfilled,” Khattar added.