PU student union president meets Dhankhar; V-P assures Senate reforms, prompt polls
Vice-President and Chancellor of Panjab University, Jagdeep Dhankhar, stated that reforms are essential for the university's Senate.
He also assured that elections would be held soon and that a formal notification would be issued promptly.
The VP made these remarks during a meeting with Panjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC) president Anurag Dalal in New Delhi on Friday.
Senate, the governing body of the varsity, had its term end on October 31 and elections to the body have yet not been announced.
Student organisations have been protesting outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office since over two months demanding immediate conduct of polls.
They were joined by numerous elected representatives and political leaders from Punjab and Chandigarh from time to time.
Dalal, who made history as the first independent president of the union, raised key concerns regarding the Senate elections, university infrastructure, and staff matters.
Additionally, discussions also covered pressing issues such as laboratory facilities, parking spaces, classroom conditions, and much-needed funding for infrastructure improvements.
On the long-standing issue of professors' arrears, Dalal highlighted the concerns of the Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA), and VP Dhankhar expressed his commitment to addressing these matters swiftly.
“He assured that he will be writing to the University Grants Commission (UGC) on the matter of pending arrears,” Dalal told.
During the meeting, Dalal also brought up the issue of farmers protest and farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s fast-unto-death at Khanauri border since November 26.
"The Vice-President expressed his deep concern over Dallewal’s health during our conversation," the PU student council president said.
Congratulating Dalal on his election victory, the Vice President expressed pride in seeing the success of a student from a farming background, noting that Dalal's achievements reflect the aspirations of many in the community.
Dalal's meeting with the Vice-President marks a significant moment as he becomes the first student union president to directly engage with the Chancellor of Panjab University in Delhi to address both student and university concerns.
