PU gives ‘incorrect’ info, UGC asks for independent audit

Ishrat S Banwait

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 17

Panjab University’s troubles do not seem to be drying up as University Grants Commission has told the Centre that PU is providing incorrect information. 

For providing contradictory statements of staff strength, UGC has termed the PU’s information unreliable. It has, thus, suggested an audit of three years from an independent entity.

On April 7, in a letter to the Director of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, UGC has said that in two different letters, PU has mentioned different staff strength. Hence, the factual position needs to be ascertained via an independent audit. In its letter on January 13, the university mentioned non-teaching staff strength as 2,609 while two months later it told the UGC that it was 4,130. In September 2010, the manpower committee of the UGC/ MHRD had observed that 4,430 non-teaching positions were listed in the university’s budget documents. Of these, 370 were ordained to be eliminated.

In January,  the PU through a letter had said that it would lay off more than half of the non-teaching staff and the number would then come down to 1,019 from the current 2,609. In the March letter, however, the university has said that in the next five years it would decrease the non-teaching staff strength from 4,130 to 3,111.

Of the 2,609 regular non-teaching staff, 474 would retire at an age of 60. Of the 1,521 non-teaching posts filled via outsourcing or on contractual-basis, 545 posts were proposed to be reduced. The letter reads, “The university has submitted a theoretical statement not supported by the actual calculation and projected calculation.” Of the 4,130 non-teaching posts, 1,792 are engaged in security and maintenance of physical infrastructure. The majority of them are employed on the DC rates of Chandigarh.

UGC demands commitment to remove deficit in three years

The PU has told the UGC that while its internal revenue in 2013-14 was Rs 155.20 crore, it would go up to Rs 381.06 crore by 2021-22. The university had told the Centre that the revenue increase of PU alone cannot remove the entire deficit. It will have to dramatically increase all fees manifold and subsequently 12 per cent every year. However, the UGC replied by saying that the PU has to give specific commitment for the same.