MAHESH GROVER, J. - (1.) We propose to dispose of the aforesaid three writ petitions by virtue of this order.
(2.) The Punjab Technical University (hereinafter known as 'PTU' for the sake of brevity) was created by the Punjab Technical University Act, 1996 (in short '1996 Act'). The primary object stated therein was to be the advancement of technical education and development thereof in the State of Punjab and for matters connected therewith.
(3.) The State has now created another university by a separate legislation called The Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University (hereinafter known as 'MRSSTU') through an enactment known as the Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University Act, 2014 (in short '2014 Act') incidentally with the same avowed object of advancement of Technical Education and development thereof in the State of Punjab and for matters connected therewith. But while doing so confined its operation to territorial limits of districts such as Bathinda, Barnala, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Mansa, Moga, Shri Mukatsar Sahib, Patiala and Sangrur and other regions outside the State of Punjab, as may be decided by the Board from time to time subject to relevant regulations and statutes. It further provided that notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any college imparting technical education and situated within the geographical limits of the aforesaid districts shall with the effect from such date as may be notified by the State Government, be deemed to be associated with and admitted to the privileges of the University and shall cease to be associated in any way with or admitted to any privileges of the Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar.;