Punjabi varsity pensioners await retirement benefits

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 19

Yet another instance of deteriorating financial health of Punjabi University has surfaced. The university has now failed to release the pensions and retirement benefits of pensioners.

The faculty members on the campus, in view of ongoing preparation of state government’s budget, had recently demanded that the university should hold a special Syndicate meeting and demand financial help from the state government. Following the same, the pensioners of the university have now raised the matter over delay in releasing their benefits.

Sham Singh, president, Punjabi University Retired Officers’ Welfare Association, said, “The fiscal condition of the university has become a cause of concern. Around 1,500 pensioners have not received their pension for the month of December 2019 yet.” This is against the ruling of Supreme Court which had directed that the payment of pensions and retirement benefits should be made on priority at the beginning of every month, Sham Singh added.

The pensioners said the process of crediting the amount has been delayed a number of times earlier as well and added, “The university has not released the pending arrears of leave traveling concession since July 2005 in violation of the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.”

Vice-Chancellor BS Ghuman said the pension amount of the month is about Rs 4 crore.

“We are trying our best to release the arrears at the earliest. Usually, we release it along with the salaries of staff but we are currently facing difficulty over lack of funds,” he said adding that the university has already forwarded a proposal to the state government to bail the university out.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.