HT impact: TU rolls back move to abolish Punjab quota

Finally succumbing to the pressure created by a huge uproar from different quarters over the "sudden and secret" move of the Thapar University (TU) to abolish 50% quota for Punjab students, the varsity has rolled back its "controversial" move with immediate effect.

The university management conveyed the information in this regard on Thursday through a letter submitted to principal secretary technical education SS Channi.

In an exclusive report on April 10, Hindustan Times had reported the hidden move of the varsity regarding quota for admissions to undergraduate engineering classes. A huge uproar created across the state compelled the Punjab government to step in to get the quota restored. Different students organisations also protested outside the TU campus.

The latest move of TU is seen as a result of pressure created on the varsity after chief minister Parkash Singh Badal took up this issue with Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal last week as also the deputy chief minister's direction to technical education department officials to take necessary legal action in case the TU failed to roll back the move.