Meeting adjourned 5 times

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, September 24 

As soon as the Senate meeting started on Sunday, Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) president Prof Rajesh Gill raised the issue of wrong minutes of September 10 meeting over counting of past services of assistant professor Namita Gupta. 

Panjab University (PU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover countered her that there was no change. 

She, however, claimed that it was decided that her case would be kept pending and all other similar cases would be taken up together in the Senate. "But the minutes of the meeting of Senate said that her case has been approved in principle," she said. 

PU Vice-Chancellor walked out of the meeting. When he returned again after 20 minutes, Prof Gill did not relent. The meeting was adjourned again. 

Gill called for CBI inquiry and accused the VC of following 'pick and choose policy'. 

Finally, Prof RP Bambah intervened on behalf of Prof Grover and said that all cases, including that of Namita Gupta, would be taken up together for passing and her case had been approved only in principle.

Only 35 of 70 items on agenda discussed 

The Senate could take up only 35 agenda items though there were 70 in total. Out of 70, two were discussed in last meeting on September 10. There were five adjournments during the meeting. Finally, the meeting broke down when the House was discussing giving extension to college principals beyond 60 years of age. The members started asking about details of inspection committees. 

Senators express dissent over new PUCASH

When the issue of appointing new Panjab University Committee against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) came up, six senators expressed their dissent. It will take over charge from October 1 under Prof Manvinder Kaur, chairperson, Centre for Women Studies and Development. Prof Chaman Lal said, "Members elected from all quarters of the university like teaching, non-teaching and students should be there in PUCASH like other Central universities," and recorded his dissent. 

Professors honoured 

The Senate conferred the title of Professor Emeritus on Prof BS Brar in Political Science, Prof Sudesh Kaur Khanduja in Mathematics, Prof BM Deb in Chemistry, Prof Suman Bala Beri in Physics and Prof Rani Balbir Kaur in Indian Theatre.