Dashing hopes of extended five-year job for many teachers, the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition that had sought enhancement of retirement age at Panjab University from the current 60 to 65 years.
The court ruled that PU is a state university, not central, thus the right to take such a decision remains with the Punjab government.
With this, all those still occupying varsity houses despite retirement at 60 will now have to vacate.
One significant case is that of English faculty member Shelly Walia who had stayed put in his teaching job after getting a stay order on his petition against retirement at 60. Others who will feel the repercussions of the SC decision include Prof Shashi Kumar Sharma, who had taken the plea that if the SC ruled in their favour they would get the same house and office anyway.
Still, the Panjab University Teachers' Association (PUTA) maintained that "nothing has been lost".
"Teachers do not need to feel let down as the varsity has already enhanced the re-employment age to 65 years. Also we will take up the matter with the union home ministry for approval to the changed PU regulations that say a faculty member should retire at 65," said PUTA president Mohammad Khalid.
{{/usCountry}}"Teachers do not need to feel let down as the varsity has already enhanced the re-employment age to 65 years. Also we will take up the matter with the union home ministry for approval to the changed PU regulations that say a faculty member should retire at 65," said PUTA president Mohammad Khalid.
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