PU reduces pass marks; Channi likely to benefit

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 23

The Panjab University Syndicate today reduced the pass marks for the PhD entrance test from 50 to 40 per cent for SC/ST students. The decision will be applicable to the test held earlier this year, the result of which is already out.

Punjab Technical Education Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had failed to get pass marks in the PhD entrance exam for political science.

A section of Syndicate members said the move was aimed at favouring Channi, but Vice Chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover denied the charge.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh BJP president and PU senator Sanjay Tandon today met Vice President and PU Chancellor M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi and told him that the university authorities were “accommodating” Channi so that he could clear the exam.

Grover said, “The marks haven’t been reduced for Channi. We have done it as there are very few SC students doing PhD on the campus.” Channi could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.