Fresh plea for Central varsity status to PU

PATNA: The issue of conversion of India's seventh oldest university, Patna University, into a Central university cropped up afresh at the centenary celebrations of Patna Law College here on Saturday when Patna High Court's acting Chief Justice Shivakirti Singh raised this old demand in his address.
Echoing the sentiments of teachers, students and people of the state, Justice Singh said this premier university must be upgraded to a Central university.
Supporting his demand, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said though a new Central university is being set up at Motihari, PU deserves the Central university status. The state government has written to the Union government several times for this, and is ready to provide the resources and infrastructure needed for the purpose, he said.
Nitish said a five-year integrated law course would also be introduced in Patna Law College. The newly-created Chanakya National Law University is also being developed as an institution of national repute, he said.
Governor D Konwar released a souvenir brought out by the college on the occasion of its centenary celebrations.
Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan gave away prizes to the winners of a moot court competition organized on the occasion. Chanakya National Law University-Patna and National Law School-Delhi were declared the winners and runners-up respectively. Sharda and Kusum of Chhotanagpur Law College-Ranchi were adjudged the best speakers.