Non-teaching staff of Pbi varsity demand right to contest poll

Tribune News Service
Patiala, April 22

The non-teaching staff of Punjabi University is now demanding same right as professors to contest elections and be politically active. 

The development comes after 150 members of the teaching staff on campus received confirmation letters from university registrar permitting them to contest the general elections, scheduled for May 19 in the state.

 As many as 150 assistant professors, associate professors and senior professors had recently sought permission from the university to contest the elections and get politically involved. The letters though signed on April 19, reached teaching staff today.

With the turn of events on the campus after protests by professors against deputation on election duties and boycott of rehearsals by some, the university’s non-teaching staff too has started demanding the same right. 

In a letter addressed to the varsity registrar, non-teaching officials on the varsity campus stated that they should also be given the right equivalent to university professors to be politically active. 

“This right should be treated as basic right of employees on the varsity campus. Giving such right to some officials and depriving others generate a feeling of inferiority,” the letter further states.

Dr Jaspal Kaur, Dean (Research), who currently holds the charge of varsity registrar, could not be contacted for her comments.

Letter to varsity registrar states

This right should be treated as the basic right of employees on the varsity campus. Giving such right to some officials and depriving others generates a feeling of inferiority.