Panjab University Syndicate members to donate Rs 5,000 each for Covid-19 relief fund

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 29

To battle the financial crisis looming large on the country with rapidly increasing cases of novel coronavirus, Panjab University’s Syndicate has unanimously decided to contribute to PM Relief Fund. Every Syndicate member has volunteered to contribute at least Rs 5000 for this cause. On Saturday, the chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) wrote to the vice chancellors of all Indian universities, urging the academic fraternity to contribute one day’s salary to Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

In a letter penned by PU fellow, syndicate member Ashok Goyal, the Syndicate has proposed that Registrar be requested to issue a circular, making an appeal on behalf of Syndicate, to Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA), Panjab University Non-Teaching Employees Federation, Directors of PU Regional Centres and principals of all Constituent and Affiliated Colleges, requesting them to urge their members to contribute to PM Relief Fund, through the mechanisms evolved by the respective organisations.

The letter reads, “It is the duty of the Syndicate to come forward and extend all possible help to the government, in line with the letter issued by UGC chairman. Initiating the process, every member of Syndicate has volunteered to contribute at least Rs 5,000 for this cause, either through whichever organisation in which he/she is working or on his/her own.”

Research teams to study Covid-19

The advisory and task-force committees constituted by Panjab University’s (PU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar for suggestions to cope with Covid-19 situation, as stated by PU spokesperson, is continuously in touch with each other for suggestions and the implementation for the functioning of various services.

On the advice of the committee, large quantity of dry leaves falling from the trees and accumulated across the campus have been cleared by the Horticulture Department. Similarly, fogging in campus is being carried out. Two to three research teams from PU are applying for research on Covid-19. Approval to upload has already been given by Dean Research.

“All have been advised for maintaining social distance and usage of cars is stopped in the campus,” he added.

Cleanliness and other issues of hostels are appropriately taken care by the DSW and his/her team. Prof Singh added that all efforts are being made for the disbursement of salary on the April 2.

211 students living in hostels

Presently, 157 boys and 54 girls are residing in the hostels of Panjab University (PU), according to the information provided by the DSW Prof Emanuel Nahar and DSW (Women) Prof Neena Capalash. Three messes each are functioning in boys’ and girls’ hostels, they said.

Ensuring the well-being of hostel residents, both deans of student welfare shared that the wardens of respective hostels are in touch with students through WhatsApp groups to get on their needs.

They said, “All residents are fit and in a good mental health. Until the lockdown is lifted, hostellers will not be allowed to move out from their hostels and no outsider will be allowed to visit them. Posters regarding precautions of Covid-19 and the UGC’s advisory are displayed on hostels’ notice boards. Also, sanitisers are available at the entrance gate of all hostels”.

PU VC Contributes One-Month Salary

Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar has donated one month salary to PM-CARES Fund to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. He further appealed to the teaching and non- teaching employees to donate generously towards the nation’s war against the pandemic.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.