The Punjab Government has issued orders to the private universities to close the unauthorised distance education study centres. The department in a letter issued to the vice chancellors of the 16 private universities has directed the immediate closure of such centres failing which the department would take strict action.In a statement here today, a spokesman of the department said that as per the provisions of the act under which the private university has been established and in accordance with the directions of the University Grants Commission, no university is authorised to open study centres without permission outside the campus for imparting distance education to the students.The spokesman further said that the copy of the orders issued by the department has also been sent to the Deputy Commissioners with instructions to conduct checks in their respective districts and ensure that if any such centre is found running then it must be closed immediately and intimation concerning the same should be sent to the department.