Punjab Agricultural University faculty observe ‘Black Day’

PAU teachers had been on protest for the last two weeks as the state government and university administration were ignoring their genuine demands, said Dr Mandeep Singh Gill, president, Punjab Agricultural University Teachers’ Association (PAUTA).

Gill added the protest had entered its fifteenth day and the state government was still not willing to address the long-pending demands of the agricultural scientists. In this regard, the teachers of PAU Ludhiana observed the Teacher’s Day as ‘Black Day’ in protest against the adamant and callous attitude of the state government and university administration.

Gill added the state government was not serious about resolving the various issues which had been pending for the last 17 months. Their demands include provision of revised allowances, gratuity and arrears as per the revised basic pay at par with public sector colleges and universities of the state. Dr KS Sangha said the government was shirking its responsibilities for funding the public sector institutions.

Dr Gurmeet Singh Dheri, secretary, PAUTA, pointed out the state government had already notified revised allowances and gratuity for teachers of other state universities, but PAU teachers were being denied the same.