Emergency Meeting of Non-Government Federation on Burning Issues of Colleges Held at Guru Nanak National College, Doraha

March 3, Doraha (Amrish Anand): An emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the Non-Government Colleges Management Federation of Punjab and Chandigarh (NGCMF) was held at Guru Nanak National College, Doraha (Ludhiana) to discuss the pressing issues facing colleges. The meeting was presided over by Federation President S. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina.During the meeting, the leading organization representing 142 aided colleges—suffering severe financial losses—urged the state government to take action to save higher education. The federation strongly criticized various arbitrary decisions taken by the DPI and the Higher Education Department of Punjab and Chandigarh, which are undermining the autonomy of colleges. The members resolved to fight for their rights on public and legal forums.S. Chhina emphasized that they would continue raising the issues of aided colleges with the DPI and other regulatory bodies to safeguard higher education in the state. He highlighted discussions on a letter (No. DRC/215) issued by the DR (Colleges), Panjab University, Chandigarh, on January 21, 2025. The federation plans to seek an appointment with the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University to discuss the negative impact of this letter on aided colleges.Addressing the challenges faced by higher education institutions in Punjab, S. Chhina stated that higher education should not be profit-driven. In contrast, private universities operate like business enterprises and charge excessive fees from students. He further stressed that institutions run by societies and trusts should receive financial encouragement from both the central and state governments.Speaking on the occasion, Federation General Secretary S. M. Sharma pointed out several key issues discussed in the meeting, including:

Pending DPI grants

Implementation of 95% Grant-in-Aid Scheme instead of the existing 75%

Filling of vacant teaching positions

Clarifying operational distinctions between colleges and universities

Abolishing reservation policies affecting the functioning of colleges and universities

Immediate disbursement of pending post-matric scholarships for Scheduled Caste students in a single installment.                            Exemption of road tax for vehicles owned by collegesBetter coordination among state universities.Prominent attendees included Senior Vice President Dr. S. P. Singh, Advisor Shri Ravinder Nath Joshi, Khalsa University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mehal Singh, Advocate Karandeep Singh Cheema, Dr. Khushwinder Kumar, Shri Nand Kumar, Shri Pavittarpal Singh Pangli, Dr. M. P. Singh, D. S. Rataul, and Dr. Narinder Singh Sidhu, among others.