In Pbi varsity, every re-employed professor is an ‘eminent scholar’

Amaninder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 8

Scholars of eminence are rare even in reputed Indian universities. But that is not the case in Punjabi University, Patiala. The university declared all 70 professors, re-employed by it, as eminent scholars.

The university registrar recently stated this in his letter to Principal Accountant General (Audit) after its wing, which oversees account and audit affairs of the university, in March last year raised objections on the appointment of these professors. It sought to know as to who among the re-employed are eminent scholars.

Justifying the re-employment of these professors, which has been criticised by many, including young unemployed graduates, the university conveyed its decision to the Principal Secretary of the Department of Higher Education.

“Each of these professors is being paid above Rs 60,000-70,000 per month, whereas young graduates are ready to work for Rs 21,000 per month,” said an official.

Documents revealed that the Deputy Controller, Local Audit, in April last year pointed out that as per the University Grants Commission (UGC) model guidelines, those being re-employed by the university should be “distinguished scholars” and the “university was not verifying this aspect of each professor.”

Raising such objections, the audit had also blocked the disbursal of several of these professors’ salary. Responding to the audit’s objection, University Registrar Dr Devinder Singh said “Those professors, who have been re-employed, have enough experience in academia. So they are eminent scholars in their respective fields.”

Interestingly, following this declaration, the audit wing had removed objections and given a go-ahead to release the salaries of re-employed professors.

Critics, however, said although this declaration had removed a technical hurdle in the audit case, terming every professor as an eminent scholar was not justified.

“Only those teachers should be seen as eminent scholars who have done path-breaking research. How can every professor be eminent?” said a university professor, requesting anonymity.