- Panjab University Chandigarh has failed to collect fees from its affiliated colleges. In turn, it has blocked the degrees and certificates of hundreds of its students for no fault of theirs and has ruined their careers.
- At the next hearing on November 20, the Court will assess the appropriate compensation for these students and identify the individuals or entities responsible for this situation.
Chandigarh, November 7, 2024 — Hundreds of students are experiencing significant career disruptions as Panjab University has indefinitely withheld the issuance of their degrees and certificates. This unfortunate situation has arisen due to the University’s inability to collect the necessary examination fees from the affiliated colleges, which are required to remit these fees to the University under the Government’s Post Matric Scholarship Scheme.
On November 4, the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard a case concerning Panjab University’s refusal to provide Detailed Marks Certificates and Degrees to several students.
During a prior hearing, the legal representative for the petitioners, students of the reserved category, conveyed to the Court that they had completed their examinations at the Government College in Hoshiarpur. However, Panjab University has not issued their Detailed Marks Certificates and Degrees because the Government College, Hoshiarpur, failed to pay the examination fees on behalf of the petitioners. These students are covered by the Government’s Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, which waives the examination fees, so they are not required to pay that themselves.
The legal counsel representing the petitioners indicated that after completing their graduation examinations, the individuals faced challenges securing further admissions or attaining employment. This situation has significantly jeopardized their career prospects, which they attribute to the insensitivity exhibited by Panjab University.
The Court underscored the significance of addressing cases involving petitioners who are students from Reserved Categories, particularly when these students have not received their Certificates or Degrees through no fault of their own. It has been acknowledged that these students are exempt from paying examination fees. Instead, the Government College is responsible for covering these fees and making the necessary payments to Panjab University. The Court pointed out that a Coordinate Bench has already examined this issue in a different case, and the University has previously acted in accordance with the relevant judgment.
The Court inquired whether Panjab University had taken any action against the colleges identified as defaulters. The University’s counsel replied that although the institution has sent multiple letters to these colleges, it has not implemented any further measures, and these colleges continue to be affiliated with the University.
The Court found that Panjab University has unjustly denied degrees and certificates to not only the 15 petitioners but many other students for the previously outlined reasons. The court observed that Panjab University appears to be hindering its students’ career opportunities, showing a lack of sensitivity towards the rights and interests of its student body.
- The Court directed the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of Panjab University in Chandigarh to appear at the subsequent hearing. Both officials attended the following session, during which the Court considered their legal counsel’s arguments. As a result, the Court excused the Vice-Chancellor from attending future hearings until further notice. However, the Registrar was required to be present at the next court date. Therefore, per the court’s directives, the Registrar of Panjab University attended the most recent hearing on November 4.
In its formal response submitted to the court, Panjab University stated that it is owed ₹2,70,81,915. The Additional Advocate General of Punjab confirmed that these funds will be disbursed to the University within two weeks. Additionally, the legal counsel representing Panjab University indicated that upon receiving the funds, the University will issue all outstanding degrees and certificates within one week.
The Court has directed that, during the next hearing, all legal counsels representing the parties shall provide an update regarding the status of other Colleges and Universities associated with the State of Punjab. Additionally, the State of Punjab will give an affidavit clarifying whether any university, apart from Panjab University, has refrained from issuing degrees or certificates due to bureaucratic issues related to the Post Matric Scholarship. The State must also detail the corrective measures undertaken if such instances are confirmed.
The Court has now excused the relevant officers (including the P.U. Registrar) from attending hearings until further notice. However, it has instructed that other senior officers from the three departments of the State of Punjab, the Union of India, and Panjab University — who are well-acquainted with the case details — must be present in court on the next hearing date.
- During the upcoming hearing, the Court will examine the circumstances surrounding the students whom the Panjab University has unfairly denied their degrees and certificates. The Court will assess the appropriate compensation for these students and identify the individuals or entities responsible for this situation.
The next hearing is set for November 20, 2024.
Source: Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh
CitiTimes 