Jammu, October 29: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Thursday demanded the immediate withdrawal of Jammu University’s decision to establish a regional centre in Kashmir’s Budgam district at an estimated cost of ₹50 crore, alleging that the move was being prioritised despite inadequate infrastructure and basic facilities at its existing campuses in the Jammu region.
Addressing a press conference at the party office here, Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir president Manish Sahni questioned the rationale behind the proposed centre and sought a review of its financial allocations, administrative approvals and legal validity.
“Fix Jammu University’s existing campuses before spending ₹50 crore on a new project,” Sahni said, pointing to infrastructure deficiencies at campuses in Patnitop, Billawar, Poonch, Bhaderwah, Udhampur and Doda.
He said the university’s main campus continued to face a shortage of hostels, pending fellowships for research scholars and inadequate facilities in libraries and canteens. These issues, he argued, warranted immediate attention before the university committed substantial funds to a new regional centre.
Citing the Jammu and Kashmir Universities Act, 1969, Sahni sought clarity on the university’s territorial jurisdiction and the legal provisions governing the establishment of a centre in Budgam. He also demanded that the project’s administrative and financial approvals, funding sources and expenditure details be made public.
He also called for adequate budgetary allocations and academic appointments to promote Dogri, Gojri and Pahari languages.
Sahni said local residents and students, particularly those of Jammu University, were also raising concerns over the project. Reiterating the party’s support for the students, he demanded that the decision be rolled back and existing campuses upgraded on priority.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir unit has also emailed a formal memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu, seeking withdrawal of the decision, a review of the project’s legal and financial aspects, and priority action to address infrastructure deficiencies at existing campuses.
Sahni said the party would raise the issue at every appropriate forum, including the legislature, and explore legal remedies if required, asserting that the academic interests of Jammu’s students must not be ignored.
