Varsity teachers’ body challenges appointment of officiating V-C in HC

ALSO PETITIONS AGAINST PANEL HEADED BY CHIEF SECRETARY TO FIND SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR JOB; NOTICES ISSUED TO CHANCELLOR AND STATE GOVT

PATIALA : The Punjabi University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the appointment of an IAS officer as officiating vice-chancellor of the varsity.

The state government had given officiating charge to senior IAS officer Ravneet Kaur on November 25 last year following the resignation of Prof BS Ghuman from the V-C’S post.

The association has also moved the court against the state government- constituted search committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary to find the suitable candidate for the job.taking up the civil writ petition on Wednesday, the high court issued notices to the university chancellor, state government, the university and the officiating V-C.

The next hearing is scheduled on April 19.

PUTA president Nishan Singh Deol said, “The vice-chancellor’s charge was temporarily handed to an IAS officer who is ineligible to hold the post as per the University Grants Commission (UGC) rules. As per the norms, dean (academic) can be appointed V-C in case there is no permanent incumbent. The UGC clearly states that the V-C should have at least 10 years of teaching experience as well.”

PUTA’S counsel Ranjit Singh said the search committee was not constituted by the government as per UGC guidelines. “The panel has to be formed by the chancellor. Advertisement for appointment of new V-C should be given by chancellor or by search committee,” he said.

The varsity is struggling to raise funds to meet its monthly expenditure. The employees are holding protests, asking the state government to give an immediate special financial package to bail the varsity out of the financial crisis.