Punjabi University profs seek govt help to tide over financial crisis

Patiala, June 11

Professors associated with the Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) today held a protest outside the residence of university Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr BS Ghuman. Protesters said the university was on the verge of financial collapse and sought intervention of the state government.

Professors, who have been protesting outside the VC office since June 2, started protest marches towards the VC’s residence from Wednesday onwards to press for their demands.

Dr Jaswinder Brar, president, Punjabi University Teachers’ Association (PUTA), said, “The university is on the verge of financial collapse. We want immediate intervention by the state government to restore the financial viability of the university.”

PUTA office-bearers said, “At present, reeling under huge liabilities, the university is under the debt burden of around Rs140 crore. The policy of the present administration to indulge in excessive borrowing to run university affairs has to be stopped immediately.”

Professors have been protesting over their various concerns, including delay in crediting their salaries and retirement benefits of pensioners among others.

The university had agreed to their various demands, including transfer of amounts from NPS to GPF accounts of employees, who fall under the old pension scheme, salary hike of promoted teaching staff and others, but these were not fulfilled since mid-March, professors added.

They would intensify their agitation if the university failed to implement all demands of the teaching community, professors said.

Registrar, Dr Manjit Singh Nijjar, said, “The university will release pending salary and pension amounts as soon as they receive grants.” — TNS

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