PTU Dean reinstated without probe

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 11

Seemingly under political pressure, the Board of Governors today reinstated a Dean of the IK Gujral Punjab Technical University without conducting an inquiry into the matter. Dr NP Singh, Dean, Distance Education, was suspended by then Vice-Chancellor Dr Rajneesh Arora on May 21, 2012 for insubordination and issuing an incorrect advertisement of the distance education programme. He was later terminated on April 16, 2013. At the same time, Arora is facing an inquiry for alleged financial irregularities.

Reconstituted earlier this year, the Board of Governors, comprising six IAS officers, cancelled Singh’s termination four months ago. Officiating Registrar of the varsity Dr Amanpreet Singh, who is said to be close to Dr NP Singh, had simply mentioned in the agenda of the board, “The matter in his case was presented to Principal Secretary Technical Education on November 18 in the presence of VC (Secretary, Technical Education, Rakesh Verma) and other officers of the university. The present request of Dr NP Singh for revoking of his suspension seems to be in order.” Members of the board this evening confirmed revoking of suspension from back date without any inquiry into the matter.

In the same meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal, a report on a complaint lodged by the Anti-Corruption Society of Jalandhar over the alleged financial bungling by Dr Arora was presented. In the case, Rs 24.37 crore was released to M/S NetIIT, a consultancy company, owned by former VC’s friend Parveen Kumar.

The ongoing inquiry into a charge sheet issued by Arora against Dr RPS Bedi, Joint Director was also discussed. The charges against him include wrong procession of migration of 289 students of distance education and charging Rs 11.37 lakh less from the students. Since Dr Bedi had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the matter and availed a stay on inquiry proceedings, board members did not divulge any further details.