The Haryana and Punjab Agricultural Universities Act, 1970, was enacted to replace the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) established under the Punjab Agricultural University Act, 1961. This legislative change was necessitated by the political reorganization of Punjab in 1966, which led to the creation of Haryana as a separate state and the transfer of certain territories to Himachal Pradesh. The bifurcation required the dissolution of the unified PAU and the establishment of two independent agricultural universities—Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)—to cater to the distinct agricultural needs of each region.
The Act was passed under Article 252(1) of the Indian Constitution, which allows Parliament to legislate on state subjects if two or more state legislatures consent. Both Punjab and Haryana adopted resolutions supporting this central legislation, ensuring a smooth transition and equitable distribution of resources between the new universities.
Decentralized Agricultural Education: Enabled region-specific research and training.
Boost to Green Revolution: Strengthened Punjab and Haryana’s roles as India’s agricultural powerhouses.
Legal Continuity: Ensured seamless transition for students, staff, and ongoing projects.
The Act was a landmark in India’s agricultural education system, fostering innovation and rural development. By addressing post-reorganization challenges, it laid the foundation for HAU and PAU to become premier institutions in agricultural sciences, contributing significantly to food security and farmer welfare.