Pay Rs 35,000, clear pending exams at Punjabi varsity

Ravneet Singh
Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 2

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In an attempt to provide relief to students who have exhausted all chances of reappear and improvement in any of their exams, Punjabi University, Patiala, is offering them a special chance to clear the papers during the upcoming semester examinations.

However, the offer comes at an expenditure of Rs 35,000, which will be charged apart from the reappear and improvement fees. The offer is also valid for those whose degrees are pending due to their inability to clear the road safety awareness paper on a special fee payment of Rs 1,000.

Moreover, the university has decided to declare the students’ results without marks, as mere pass or fail. The university said interested students could deposit their fees and forms by October 10, and the exams would be conducted in November and December. The step has drawn criticism from various quarters.

Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar, professor, economics and president, Punjabi University Teachers’ Association, lauded the offer of the special chance but added, “The university could have given relief over the special fee to students from marginalised sections.”

Kulwinder Singh, president, Punjab Students’ Welfare Association, said, “The university should have provided some relief by charging only nominal fee in view of Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th birth anniversary. This is not in the interest of students but a bid to fill the university’s own coffers. Many students from marginalised sections will not be able to avail the offer.”

Defending the move, controller of examinations Balwinder Singh Tiwana said the university had provided such offers earlier as well. “A similar chance was offered during the May examinations this year. This is a one-time offer. Any student from previous years can avail the chance.” He said the charges were high as this was a one-time offer. “All the formalities for the exams will be done exclusively. With this, the students are getting a chance to complete their degrees.”