Recruitment of teaching staff cancelled at GNDU

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 20

The GNDU has cancelled the recruitment process for hiring teaching staff for its various departments, regional campuses and constituted colleges. The university apprised the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) of its decision following which the hiring process was quashed. Earlier, the university had issued the advertisement for the recruitment on May 15.

Notably, a number of cases had been filed by contractual staff and teachers on salary basis, alleging irregularities in the recruitment process. They had claimed that the fresh recruitment was not justified as they had already been taking classes. Under the recruitment drive, around 400 employees on contractual basis, and 15 on permanent basis were to be hired.

The university has taken the step to assure that the education of the students is not hampered in the mid of the session. Even, the classes at constituent colleges of the GNDU had begun late due to the on-going cases between the two groups.

The HC on September 17 stated, “A conscious decision has been taken by the university to withdraw the advertisement itself. Consequently, the selection process stands scrapped.”

The court has also asked the varsity to give the petitioners (teachers on lecturer basis) their salaries within four weeks. The staff on lecture basis had been taking classes but were not paid by the varsity as the matter was pending with the HC and a decision was awaited.

GNDU Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu said, “The university has taken the step to ensure that the academic session of the students is not harmed. We want our students to focus on their education.”

Dr Gurpreet Singh, president of the association of ad hoc teachers, said, “We welcome the move. Teachers will continue taking classes.”