Dreams to don black robes capped by 30-yr age limit

CHANDIGARH: In a setback to aspiringcandidates, who wish to pursue law at Panjab University, the Bar Council ofIndia has proposed to the department of laws, Panjab University, that themaximum age to pursue three-year bachelor course should be 30 years. The councilin a new set of guidelines has also asked the department to finish the eveningshift by 7 pm, which presently continues till 9 pm.Confirming thenews, department chairman PS Jaswal said, We had received the new guidelineswhich we further marked to the vice-chancellor. The final decision will bearrived at by Syndicate and Senate as the document is subject to conditionsstipulated by the institute and relaxation of five years can be provided for theschedule case and schedule tribe candidates.There are 300 seats inthe department, 150 each in morning and evening. In the evening shift, more than50% enrolled pupils are bureaucrats and above 30 years. If the universityaccepts the proposal, these public servants wont be anymore eligible to furthertheir legislative aspirations.Reacting against the new circular,Ramanjit Singh, an aspiring candidate, said, The evening shift witnessbureaucrats, working professional and retired personnel. Fixing an upper limitto pursue the course is not fair and will adversely affect the career prospectsof many. Terming the move as against the nuances of IndianConstitution, Harpreet Rajan Brar, secretary, Bar council of Panjab and Haryana,said, Imposing upper-age limit is no solution. The council should come upwith other ways to maintain quality education.