# Punjab minister confronted by students over Rs 150-crore university debt 2026-08-13T07:02:40+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh faced a protest by students at Punjabi University in Patiala on Wednesday during a state-level AIDS campaign launch. Members of the Democratic Students Organisation demanded the state government waive the university's Rs 150-crore debt and release pending funds. Students also highlighted overcrowded hostels where three to four students share a room, with inadequate drinking water and toilets. When questioned, Dr Singh told students to approach the education minister as he lacked information on university finances. The students criticised the minister for being unaware of the institution's problems. The outfit warned against any fee hike and said it would intensify its agitation if demands are not met. ## Coverage - indiatoday.in Tags: education, hostel conditions, Punjab, Punjabi University, student protest, university debt Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-minister-confronted-by-students-over-rs-150-crore-university-debt/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-minister-confronted-by-students-over-rs-150-crore-university-debt/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.