Decision on opening Panjab University libraries after nod from Chandigarh administration

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 29

The Panjab University (PU) authorities will wait for the next set of guidelines from the UT Administration before taking any decision on the opening of the AC Joshi Library and other departments on the campus.

Sources said after failing to evacuate hostels, the PU authorities were in no mood to take a step in haste.

The authorities had closed the AC Joshi Library till May 31 following the UT Administration’s orders.

Earlier, research scholars of the PU, with the active support from various students’ organisations, had protested the closure of libraries.

“Amid the rising cases of Covid-19, the university authorities had decided to close the libraries till March 31. The decision was pulled back following protests by students. Later, in pursuance to the UT Administration order (on May 7), issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the authorities closed the library till May 31,” said an official.

“To avoid any kind of protest, the decision on reopening of libraries will be taken in accordance with the UT Administration guidelines,” the official added.

Meanwhile, the UT Administration is likely to extend partial lockdown restrictions by two weeks.

“We will comply with the UT Administration’s order. Not only this library, but all other libraries, departments and other facilities are also shut. Students are well aware about the situation and understand the impact of the pandemic,” said another official.

As per the directive, the Panjab University authorities had decided that AC Joshi Library, departmental libraries, laboratories, swimming pool, play grounds and other facilities on the university campus will remain closed till May 31.

However, the online teaching was allowed to continue with staggered presence of staff as already notified by the PU.

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