Status quo on retirement of principals

The Panjab University (PU) Syndicate today stood by its previous decision on giving extension to the college principals beyond 60 years.

Both Chancellor’s Office and Registrar Education, Colleges of Chandigarh Administration, had sought varsity’s comments on the issue after the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union and DAV College Retired Teachers Association complained on the issue. 

The Syndicate resolved that extension to principals was given on need basis and the complaint of teachers’ unions had no grounds.  

The General Secretary of Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union, Dr Vinay Sofar, had complained to the Vice-President, M Venkaiah Naidu, who is also the chancellor of PU, that the re-employment of principals was violation of the UGC rules. He had pointed out that as per the UGC regulations the position of the Principal tenure post is five years, extendable by another five years through a due process. 

The Punjab Government has made it for 10 years. “Therefore, the letter and spirit of the UGC regulations is that a Principal must leave office after 10 years. However, powerful lobby in the PU Syndicate and Senate had deliberately recommended the re-employment of principals even after their retirement at the age of 60 years. Many of the syndics are themselves beneficiaries,” he said. 

The DAV College Retired Teachers Association alleged “anarchy in administration” of the varsity. The association had pointed out that different a yardstick was applied in service rules for extension or re-employment of the principals of the colleges affiliated to the PU where as no such policy are there for college teachers.

The Syndicate resolved that extension in case of college teachers could not be given as it would reduce chances of employment young people.   

Cases of Paul and Komal Singh sent to Senate

• The Syndicate took up the report of a committee formed to intimate Associate Professor Neelam Paul on the resolution of Senate that she had to apologise to the VC. The report would now be sent to Senate for discussion. 
• In partial compliance of an earlier senate resolution dated September 3, 2016, she had apologised to the Chancellor only but not the vice chancellor. Paul is a part of music faculty and was found guilty for submitting false information on research papers and attending seminars for her promotion. 
• Reply of Assistant Professor, Pubic Administration, Komal Singh, where he claimed flaws in the investigation of Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) will also be sent to Senate for discussion. Singh had been held guilty in two sexual harassment cases while one more case against him is pending

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