Staff fail to complete PhD, Punjabi University to recover salaries given during leave

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 30

Punjabi University will now recover salaries paid to its faculty members during their study leave as they have failed to complete doctorate degree. Faculty members had sought leave with pay. Funds paid to 14 faculty members will be recovered along with six per cent yearly interest calculated from the date of their study leave up to the current year.

University officials said 12 of 14 candidates did not complete their doctorate degree. The matter came to light after a faculty member complained to the Chancellor’s office recently. The university then formed a team led by Dean (Academics) to probe the matter and submit a report.

As per the complaint, the university’s 14 teachers had flouted rules by availing study leave with salary. Most of them failed to complete their research work. Some had sought study leave in 2011 and 2012. The university can grant teaching faculty leave with salary up to two years, extendable for one year, for research work to complete doctorate degree.

Giving information the university Dean (Academic affairs), Dr BS Sandhu, said, “The university has sent letters to teachers for recovering salaries. Twelve out 14 candidates have not completed their degrees. The remaining two have said they completed their degrees, which are yet to be awarded by their respective institutions.”

“The university has already started recovery of the calculated amount. As such Rs17 lakh and Rs15 lakh will be recovered from two employees. The amount, including salary, paid for the leave period along with six per cent interest for every year will be recovered from them,” he added.

“Four employees, who have not yet completed their degrees, have sought more time from their institutions and the university will take decision on the matter accordingly,” he said.

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