The ongoing agitation (launched) by the Khalsa College, Amritsar Teachers’ Union took a new turn today when Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union extended a full support to their cause. Addressing a mammoth rally organized by the Khalsa College Teachers and other employees  in front of the office of the Principal, Khalsa College, Amritsar, the General Secretary of PCCTU Prof. H S Walia said that the decision of the Khalsa College Authorities to convert college into a Private University is against the rules/regulations of the UGC and the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (Central Govt.). No prudent Managing Committee of any college can think of converting an affiliated and aided college into a private University as it involves many points of technicalities and legalities. He added that the Physical Infrastructure of the College had been developed over the years with the development grant from UGC and MHRD, running into crores. The Human Resources (Teachers & other employees) are being paid their salaries under the 95% grant-in-aid scheme from the State Govt. How can this physical and human infrastructure meant for the college be utilized for a private university?. The UGC regulations for the conversion of an affiliated college into an autonomous college/private university also require the consent/approval of the staff as a pre-condition (for such conversion). The decision of the GNDU to  disaffiliate the first year degree classes from the forthcoming academic year on the request of Khalsa College authorities was also questioned.

 He added that the Khalsa College Trust/Society was established for a particular purpose i.e. for running a college. The monetary donations and donations in the form of land were accepted for the establishment and growth of the college. So conversion of a college into a private university is against the Objects and Reasons pertaining to the creation of Khalsa College Trust/Society. Moreover the Security of Service of the teachers will be at the stake, even if teachers and other employees are shifted/re-employed in the private university. The teachers working in the affiliated colleges are covered under the ‘Affiliated Colleges Security of Service Act 1974’; getting salaries under 95% grant-in-aid scheme of the State Govt. and governed by the conduct rules of the Universities concerned. However, in case of a private university, hire and fire policy is pursued by the Authorities.

 Prof. Walia also added that the matter will be taken up with the UGC, the MHRD, the State Govt., GNDU and Human Rights Commission and if need be it will be contested in the court of law.

 Meanwhile, the chancellor of the Khalsa College Governing Council, Amritsar has expressed its concern over the decision to convert Khalsa College, Amritsar into a private university. He has also questioned the decision of the President and Honorary Secretary of  the Khalsa College Committee to use Endowment Fund of the College and Provident Fund of the employees for establishing a private university.