Bharti Kissan Union resent move to second bifurcation of PAU
Ferozepur, July 27, 2017: The state government’s move to set up a separate Horticulture University has caused resentment, not only among the research and teaching staff of Punjab Agriculture University –PAU – but also in the farmers community.
Condemning the decision of the government, Bharti Kissan Union – BKU, Qadian Unit, in its meeting held under the chairmanship of Sukhpal Singh Buttar, District President and Gulzar Singh Mihan Singh Wala said, the bifurcation of PAU to establish another Horticulture University is like fracturing of back-bone of the farmers.
They said, on the one hand, there is a shortage of funds for the faculty arrangements whereas on the other hand, no funds are available for research and development purposes. It is not understood as to from where the funds will be arranged.
An old timer pass-out of PAU, D.K.Sahi said, this will be the second bifurcation of PAU as earlier also a separate university for veterinary and animal sciences was set up. Apart from the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), PAU is the only educational institute in the country that figures among the top 300 institutes associated with agriculture and allied activities in the world. However, its dilution owing to repeated bifurcation will affect its ranking. The move of the government will damage the well-established structure of PAU, he added.
The farmer leaders also said, if at all the government is interested to concentrate horticulture, then the funds for research and development should be reserved besides recruiting Horticulture Experts in the PAU.
Giving a warning to the government, the BKU leaders said, in case the PAU is further bifurcated, the Union will be compelled to start the protest campaign.
