Teaching at PU to remain suspended till June 30

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 15

The Panjab University authorities today announced that teaching would remain suspended till June 30, while the non-teaching staff would continue to function with a minimum of 33 per cent attendance till further orders.

The decision has been taken in light of the MHA guidelines. Earlier, the PU campus was expected to open for the teaching staff from June 16. However, after protests by faculty members, the decision was revoked.

As per the new notification, teaching will remain suspended till June 30 in the university. From June 16, only 1/3rd of the non-teaching staff in university departments/centres and regional centres will attend office. However, no employee will be allowed to leave the headquarters without permission. In teaching departments where the number of non-teaching employees is five or less, the Chairperson will be authorised to call more than 33 per cent of the staff on duty depending upon the requirement.

The office timings will be from 9.30 am to 5 pm (with lunch break from 1 pm to 1.30 pm). The controlling officers/chairpersons/directors/unit heads and others should report to duty in their respective offices/departments/centres on all working days and the remaining staff shall report on a rotational basis.

“To maintain social distancing and following other precautions/guidelines issued by the Centre, the heads should take decision regarding rotation of staff, seating arrangements and the distribution of work and time. Cleaners, gardeners, maintenance and security staff shall report for duty everyday as per the requirement. However, the staff residing in areas designated as ‘containment zones’ shall be exempted,” stated the orders.

The staff shall strictly observe the protocol and safety precautions issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare — frequent hand wash and maintenance of proper hygiene; maintaining social distancing; avoiding crowding of staff members; cleanliness and sanitisation of the personal area (table, personal belongings, etc).

It was also decided that teaching will remain suspended in affiliated/constituent colleges till June 30. However, principals of the colleges can call employees on need basis. Besides this, the affiliated colleges located in Chandigarh and Punjab would follow the guidelines issued by the respective governments.