IHM staff, principal at loggerheads

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19

High drama was witnessed at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) here as a heated argument took place between four IHM employees and principal Rajnit Kohli. The situation became so tense that the police had to intervene.

IHM lecturer Rinkesh Kumar alleged that the principal was favouring her known persons in recruitment and tenders.

“I am disappointed over the working style of principal Rajnit Kohli. She recruits people known to her even if they don’t have any caliber. She is ignoring the recruitment norms,” Kumar alleged.

Besides him, assistant lecturer Jitender Kumar, assistant lecturer Monu Sharma and LTC Amit Khanna levelled the charge of the misuse of office against the principal and an administrative officer.

They said they had already lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner and they would meet him on Wednesday. They claimed that the Bathinda Sadar police station SHO along with his team today reached at IHM and directed them to resolve the issues on their own.

Even many IHM students complained about the poor quality of food served to them on the campus. They alleged that they had been bringing the issue to the notice of authorities for past some time, but nobody listened to them.

Talking to mediapersons, IHM principal Kohli refuted the allegations of favoritism and flouting norms stating that all the recruitments in the institute had been done following the norms. She termed all charges against her wrong and baseless, claiming that she followed all rules and wanted others to follow these as well.

Deputy Commissioner Praneet said though he had an idea that there were some problems at the IHM, he was not aware about what happened today as he was out of station on official work.

Kotshamir police post incharge SI Balwinder Singh said: “The staff and principal have issues. We have told them to write to their senior officials and if they lodge a complaint, the action will be initiated.”