Punjab: Rs 70 cr to colleges clears threat to examinations

The principals, teachers, and other college employees of Punjab and Chandigarh have decided against boycotting the examinations coming up on May 15 and 20. The Punjab government has released about Rs 70 crore to the colleges and scheduled talks for May 20 to address the staff’s grievances, claims Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) vice-president Jagwant Singh. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Principals’ Federation; and Punjab Non-teaching Employees Union (PNTEU) are other participants in the decision against boycott.

The principals, teachers, and other college employees of Punjab and Chandigarh have decided against boycotting the examinations coming up on May 15 and 20.

The Punjab government has released about Rs 70 crore to the colleges and scheduled talks for May 20 to address the staff’s grievances, claims Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) vice-president Jagwant Singh. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Principals’ Federation; and Punjab Non-teaching Employees Union (PNTEU) are other participants in the decision against boycott.

“The new developments to create a congenial environment for talks have made us withdraw the boycott call to save students from hardship,” said Jagwant Singh. He also said the JAC expected the government to lay out a roadmap for clearing the backlog of salaries; resolving the house rent allowance and medical allowance issues; bringing clarity on filling 1,925 posts; extending refresher course date; and solving the problems related to API (academic performance indicator, a template for college appointments).

No rescheduling

After the JAC had called for boycott, a message had gone on the social media and WhatsApp that Panjab University had rescheduled its examinations. Denying that the university had issued any such notice, PU controller of examinations Parvinder Singh confirmed: “The examinations would be held on schedule.”