PU Board of Finance to decide on Rs 71L development works

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 3

Panjab University’s Board of Finance will deliberate on development works worth Rs 71.4 lakh, which include setting up of a library hall at the UIAMS, installing a lift at the UIET, reviewing the TA/DA provisions and allowing LTC to teachers continuing service after attaining the age of 60, at its meeting scheduled to be held on January 7.

If the board agrees, a lift having a capacity of carrying 13 passengers will be installed at the UIET. The total cost of this gearless lift is estimated at Rs 23.5 lakh. Besides, the UIAMS students stand a chance of having a reading hall, the proposed cost of which is Rs 10.9 lakh. The hall shall accommodate 50 chairs, eight library tables and air conditioners, respectively, along with four double face book racks and four bookshelves.

Also, the main Guest House of the varsity, located in Sector 14, will be extended to house a pantry and a toilet. The estimate on plinth area rate basis for the extension of the Guest House is pegged at some Rs 20.8 lakh.

Drafted by the Executive Engineer of the varsity, an estimate of Rs 8.4 lakh has been prepared for the construction of washrooms in the staffroom, language lab in the Department of English and Cultural Studies and in the office of the chairperson of the Department of Evening Studies. A budget of about Rs 7.8 lakh has been set aside for the provision of toilets with the wards of the Department of Oral Surgery in Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, PU.

New MBA course to fetch Rs 55L profit

Estimating the recurring expenses at Rs 38.7 lakh in the first year with a subsequent increase up to Rs 80.6 lakh in the fifth year, the new MBA course in capital market at the UIAMS is estimated to bring a profit of Rs 54.8 in the first year and Rs 1 crore on the fifth year. The final push to the course will be given by the Board of Finance’s decision on passing its budget.

The Syndicate gave a nod to the new course on November 11 last year. With a one-time capital expenditure of Rs 30 lakh, which include 39 desktop computers, 78 chairs and desks for two classes along with 39 for workstation lab, the department seeks to appoint three assistant professors and junior technician.

In her letter dated October 10, the UIAMS chairperson stated that a stimulation lab would be required for successfully running the course. “UIAMS has sanctioned a full-time junior technician and two junior technicians since its inception in 2008. However, no technical staff has been provided from the very beginning for the existing courses,” read her letter to the DUI.

The course, which will accommodate a total of 25 3NRI 10 additional students, is slated to generate a revenue of Rs 93.5 lakh in the first year, which will double in the subsequent years, owing to the two batches it intends to run.

72 Panjab University employees may get LTC

If the Board of Finance takes a call on the Vice Chancellor’s orders to allow three PU employees above 60 years of age, who are still in service, the LTC benefits that they were entitled to before retirement, 72 other employees, who have not yet superannuated, can also avail of the benefits.

The interim orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court with regard to the 2016 case of Amrik Singh Ahluwalia and other Vs Panjab University and others, state that: “We direct that the order passed by the learned Vice-Chancellor on 25.11.16 vide which he has directed to pay salary to the appellants as they were drawing immediately before the pronouncement of the order by the learned Single Judge excluding HRA, as an interim measure and subject to the final outcome of these appeals, is most fair, just and workable solution.”

The legal adviser of the PU raised concerns over the court order stating that it would be tantamount to drawing a distinction not envisaged by the said order and treating such litigating teachers differently from those who haven’t attained the age of superannuation contrary to the letter and spirit order, the audit. The matter was then referred to the audit and to the Board of Finance subsequently. “The audit is of the view that the LTC to such teachers is not admissible in terms of judgement of the court order. It is, therefore, advised that matter regarding payment of LTC be put up to the Board of Finance being financial implication involved and Senate being appointing authority of Group ‘A ’ teachers for its consideration and decision keeping in view above said audit opinion.”