Channi also announced strengthening of infrastructure by “lifting out of financial crisis” government educational institutions.
While declaring that he would take over the financial liability of Rs 150 crore of the university, the Chief Minister also announced to increase the annual grant from Rs 114 crore to Rs 240 crore as part of efforts to come out of the financial crisis of the university. According to an official statement. Appreciating the Punjabi University for its efforts to ensure the development of Punjabi language besides providing quality higher education to the students from poor economic background, Channi said, “The previous governments, especially some Chief Ministers, helped the University in dealing with this crisis. No step taken to help. Financial crisis”.
“This is the reason why the university – a proud flag bearer of Punjabi mother tongue – is stuck in the worst kind of financial mess,” the chief minister said.
Channi said that during his tenure as technical education minister (in the previous Amarinder Singh-led cabinet), he lit the midnight oil to help the university come out of financial trouble.
“However, the then chief minister did not pay any attention (to it),” he said without naming his predecessor Amarinder Singh.
Channi said that having studied in government schools, colleges and universities, he is fully aware of the grassroots issues affecting these educational institutions.
Referring to other measures, Channi said that the state government is making efforts to promote Punjabi language and keeping this thinking in mind, the Punjabi Language Act has been strictly implemented in the state.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister along with Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal inaugurated the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and Skill Training.
Channi said that the center “tells about the university’s tireless efforts to explore new avenues in entrepreneurship with the aim of generating employment”.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Arvind also expressed his views on this occasion.
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