Ludhiana, November 1
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) campus is buzzing with hectic election activity as the two rival factions of the non-teaching staff prepare for a formal showdown in the PAU Employees’ Union election scheduled to be held on November 9. The two factions are led by the veteran employees’ leader, Mr D.P. Maur, who has been holding charge as president of the union for the last six years, and Mr A.S. Deol.
In a press note released here today, Mr Maur has claimed that during the last 6 years, some of the most cherished demands of the employees have been conceded as a result of the concerted efforts made by the executive committee of the union. Recounting the achievements of the union under his leadership, Mr Maur has claimed that clerks, senior clerks, junior assistants and steno-typists have been allowed special allowance of Rs 80 per month with effect from 1/3/95. Likewise, senior assistants have been granted a special allowance of Rs 160 per month in the revised scale of pay.
Mr Maur has further revealed that the union has successfully prevailed upon the university authorities to place senior assistants with 18 years of service in the grade of Rs 2000-3,500 plus Rs 100 as special pay. In addition, the board of management of PAU has doubled the allowances payable to the drivers of cars, jeeps, tractors etc. as a result of the pressure exerted by the union. Apart from this, the union has succeeded in persuading the university administration to grant incentive increments to the employees for outstanding performance of duties, improvement of educational qualifications etc.
Among some other salient achievements of the union during the past six years, claims Mr Maur, are implementation of G-4 pattern with effect from 1-1-86, merger of junior scale and senior scale stenographers, removal of anomalies in the promotion scheme for the employees after 8,16,24 and 32 years of service, provision of study leave for the non-teaching staff, fee concession for the wards of employees studying in PAU, 75 per cent reservation for the wards of the employees in PAU school and many more.
Mr Maur has emphasised that in case his group is again voted to power for the fourth successive time, they will work sincerely for the fulfilment of some important remaining demands, which include timebound promotion policy for the non-teaching staff, settlement of the court case of lab attendants amicably with the varsity’s board, payment of arrears of G-4 pattern wef 1-3-92, grant of bonus to employees and representation of the employees’ union on the decision-making bodies of the university.
