Senate allows Vice-Chancellor to fix date for Syndicate elections

Deepankar Sharda

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8

The first-ever online meeting of Panjab University Senate remained a high pitch affair today. The meeting, which was held after a gap of two years, lasted for over six hours (including two zero hours). All listed items were discussed at the meeting. It was perhaps for the time in the history of Panjab University (PU) that a Senate meeting was called online owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

PUTA raises objection

In a statement The Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) said, “We strongly protest against holding online Senate meeting as it is illegal in the absence of any such provision in the PU calendar. Secondly, the meeting was anti-democratic as microphones were controlled by the authorities. Our audios were muted multiple times.”

The meeting was attended by majority of eligible members. However, contrary to expectations, no heated verbal exchanges were witnessed for not including some members in the meeting. The Senate rectified all actions taken and orders passed by the Vice- Chancellor (VC) during past two years. The Senate also authorised the VC to fix dates for the allotment of faculties, the election of Syndicate members, aided members, dean and others.

The VC was also authorised to constitute all statutory and other committees in anticipation of approval from Senate and Syndicate.

VC’s decisions to be rectified

The proposal to authorise VC to take decision, in anticipation of approval from Senate, was moved by Satya Pal Jain, a former BJP MP. “Since clock cannot be turned back therefore all actions and decisions taken by the VC during this period should be rectified,” said Jain. The proposal was seconded by Davesh Moudgil, Prof Davender, Prof SK Tomar, BC Josen, Prof SS Sanga and others.

Appointment of next DUI

Honey Thakur, president, Panjab University Staff (Non-teaching) Association (PUSA), raised concerns over appointing new Dean, University Instructions (DUI). Sources claimed that Prof VR Sinha, who was appointed the DUI on February 1, 2021, has been facing ire over delay in recruitment on compensatory grounds. Thakur demanded that the VC should reveal the name of the next DUI at today’s meeting.

PU as Central University

Fellow Gurmeet Singh, assistant professor, Department of Hindi, said PU should be brought under ‘central university’ status to overcome ‘budget’ problems. While discussing delay in getting a grant for repair purposes, Singh said instead of endless wait for Punjab Government approvals, the the process to make PU a Central University should be started.

University’s stand on pay scale

All fellows unanimously demanded that the PU authorities should take a stand on implementing UGC pay scales for faculty members as per the university calendar. Hundreds of teachers are protesting against the decision of the Punjab Government to delink their pay scales from the seventh CPC-UGC pay scales. The Senate also demanded that the authorities promote young faculty members by supporting them in research work.

Solving problems of affiliated colleges

The Senate demanded that the authorities should take a call on reducing the burden of admissions in affiliated colleges. Members said the admission process should be streamlined.

Financial help for needy

The Senate also raised the need of financing PU students, who were hit financially due to the Covid pandemic. A special grant for such students was demanded. It was also demanded not to hike mess charges.

Pictures of meeting leaked on social media

Meanwhile, many members uploaded screenshots of the meeting in various WhatsApp groups. Screenshots, in which members were objecting for not being allowed to speak, were circulated in various groups.

Union minister’s suggestion for VC

Som Parkash, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, who is also a member of the PU Senate, got furious over proceedings. Parkash was seen asking the PU VC to follow rules and regulations of the meeting. He asked the Registrar to first introduce the House and then bring the resolution. He also asked the PU VC to bring every stakeholder under one umbrella for the welfare of the university. “I have no objections with tabling authorised resolutions, but the Senate should be run under laid decorum,” said Parkash.

UT Adviser attends meeting

Perhaps, it was for the first time in the past 12 years that the UT Adviser, Dharam Pal, attended the Senate meeting and promised support from the Chandigarh Administration for the betterment of the university.

Major decisions

The PU Senate approved the new fee structure and charges for NRI students of MSc Forensic Science and Criminology. They will have to pay 2,860 US dollars per annum as tuition fee and development funds.

The Senate also approved recommendations of the Board of Finance (BOF) meeting held on January 7, 2020. The Senate authorised the PU Vice-Chancellor to give a hearing to dental faculty members with regard to the promotion policy.

The Senate decided to defer amendment in Regulation 3 (ceasing of members) of the PU Calendar Vol. 1 2007. The Senate also ratified the 38 agenda items.