Punjabi University outsources repair work of computers, technical staff sits idle

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 2

Though Punjabi University has technical staff for maintenance of computer systems, but it has been getting the said work done from a private firm through an annual maintenance contract.

At present, the university is reeling under severe financial crunch due to high expenditure incurred on paying salary of the staff.

In 2019-20, the firm serviced over 1,000 computers at an expenditure of Rs 60 per system, including laptops and desktops while 50 system analysts, programmers and other technical staff hired at a monthly salary between Rs 50,000 and 70,000 sat idle. Some of them are executing other tasks, including teaching at departments.

Dr Manjit Singh Nijjar, Registrar, Punjabi University, said, “The annual service contract was signed through the University Computer Centre (UCC) last year. It included installation of MS windows, anti-virus, internet connectivity and installation of drivers for printers at a mere cost of Rs 60,000.”

A senior professor on condition of anonymity said the university has many programmers, system analysts, system managers and senior system analysts, among others.

The professor said, “Punjabi University can get computer systems maintained through the said contract and save funds. The university’s own system analysts are sitting idle and are a burden.”

Nijjar said, “We have stopped the process of signing an annual contract for the time being. We will deliberate on the matter take a decision.”

On a question related to huge expenditure being incurred on the salary, Nijjar said, “We have not hired new technical staff in the past two years.”

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