Aspirants for president’s post fight it out

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 21

“I do not understand when a person takes a stand, why it is considered as a confrontation with authorities,” replied Prof Rajesh Gill, when asked whether her victory would lead to confrontation of the PU authorities.

She is contesting for the Panjab University Teachers Association’s president post.

The Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) elections are slated for August 23.

While holding a press conference today, she said that of late, PUTA has become a mouthpiece for the authorities.

“The disillusioned teachers are already asking questions about the very efficacy of such a body. Imagine, general body meetings are not being convened and bulletins not published or e-mailed! The passivity of PUTA has emboldened both the brokers and authorities to work blatantly in a partisan manner. Rather than objective assessment, merit, performance and calibre, the system has completely been drawn on ‘pick and choose’, ‘quid pro quo’ and ‘favouritism’. A bunch of teachers, all beneficiaries, have taken the university for a ride by completely choking free communication and equality of opportunity on campus,” she said.

“Authorities know that they can’t buy out PUTA,” she said, where she referred to her group.

She raised the issue of alleged wrong appointments and wrong transfers, disparity in infrastructure, flouting of the UGC norms and alleged favouritism while counting past services.

“A coterie consisting of rank mediocre has overtaken the highest offices, where issues relating to promotion, recruitment, pay protection and past service are resolved on the basis of the principle of ‘you show me the face, I will show you the rule’,” she said.

“Why are they (Jatinder Grover’s group) bringing up personal agenda? I have not taken up any personal issue on public platform. My issues are separate from those of the PU...I have been asked to contest elections that is why I am contesting. I have no problem in dealing with the VC,” she said. When asked whether she has support from the Ashok Goyal group, she replied, “There is only one group in the PU which belongs to Navdeep Goyal. I speak on agenda. No one can dictate me. I speak on issues and do not take sides.”