In its meeting before the beginning of the new academic session, the Senate approved the Gyan Jyoti scheme, under which a PU student can, besides paying the fee online, also deposit it with a State Bank of India branch anywhere in the country and send the receipt to the university.

Another path-breaking decision was taken regarding the reservation of a seat in every department for a patient of thalassemia. It also resolved to sponsor the education of thalassemic children admitted in PGIMER.

In another decision, the university extended a second chance to dropouts and also to those who could not complete the course after getting enrolled at PU and those who wish to improve their scores. Availing of this opportunity, students can complete their degrees from the point where they had left. They will have to follow the present syllabus, though.

Besides, there are plans in the offing to organise another ‘Degree Mela’ where students of the university can come and collect their degrees. The decision aims to clear the pile of unclaimed degrees lying in the university.

Giving its nod to a semester system for postgraduate courses, the Senate also decided to introduce it to other courses too. Members from the affiliated colleges, however, expressed discontent when the House gave its approval allowing students to pursue dual degrees, which includes five-year integrated courses of BE-MBA and BA-BEd at the university.

PU may also no longer have to face water shortage, with Vice-Chancellor Professor R C Sobti announcing the grant of tertiary water supply for the university by the Chandigarh Administration. Now, handpumps can be installed anywhere on the campus.

The budget for the new academic session was also approved. Eyebrows were raised on a 77 per cent provision towards the salary of faculty, including travel allowance, while a meagre 0.14 per cent was allotted for scholarships. Fellow Gurmeet Singh raised objections and demanded that the provision be reconsidered.

The V-C further agreed to put all publications of the departments on its website for easy access by students and faculty members.

Heated arguments were, meanwhile, exchanged on the issue of filling vacant chairs. It was observed that since no scholar had ever applied, the varsity would decide on the incumbent for the chair and request him or her to take charge. The Senators also pressed V-C Sobti, along with PUTA, to pursue the issue of central status for the university.