Punjabi University Teachers’ Association opposes rejection of faculty promotions

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 5

Two weeks after Punjabi University rejected the promotions of eight faculty members, including a member who has two patents in her name, the Punjabi University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) have demanded a repeal of the rejection orders.

The faculty members said the promotions were rejected on unfounded grounds and they would approach the Governor’s office.

Professor Arvind, Vice Chancellor, had stated that the rejections were made on valid grounds and according to criteria.

The association raised a number of demands with the university administration. Its president, Bhupinder Singh Virk, said, “This is after years that the university has rejected the promotion of a faculty member. This is despite the fact that one of the faculty members has two patents in her name. The promotion of another faculty member, who guided 28 students in their PhD programme, has also been rejected. The promotion of yet another member was rejected because of his proximity to a leader of the Congress and former MLA.”

The association said they had raised their concerns with the Vice Chancellor. “We are seeking time from the Governor’s office and will take up the matter with him,” said Virk. He said PUTA would also apprise the Governor of headship-by-rotation for faculty members who had completed eight years of teaching. A resolution in this regard has been passed by the university Syndicate.

The teachers’ representatives said they had demanded the release of salaries for May and June, holding screening and interviews for long-standing promotions of faculty members, arrears of step-up-increment and those of CAS promotions etc.

Virk said they had asked the university to address all their demands or else they would resort to protests.

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