Long-delayed PAUTA polls likely to be held mid-July

The election of of fice-bearers of the Punjab Agricultural University Teachers’ Association (PAUTA) has been delayed intermittently since April. Speaking on condition of anonymity, several varsity professors noted that, according to the association’s regulations, voting for the new president, secretary, vice-president, general secretary, treasurer and six counsellors should be held within a few days after the term of the previous officebearers ended on March 31.

The election of of fice-bearers of the Punjab Agricultural University Teachers’ Association (PAUTA) has been delayed intermittently since April. Speaking on condition of anonymity, several varsity professors noted that, according to the association’s regulations, voting for the new president, secretary, vice-president, general secretary, treasurer and six counsellors should be held within a few days after the term of the previous officebearers ended on March 31.

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“The current president, Harmeet Singh Kingra, and general secretary, KS Sangha, together with the association’s returning officers, who supervise the polls, have patently failed to perfor m their duties this time. It almost seems Kingra and his group fear losing their positions,” said a professor.

When contacted, former PAUTA president Mukesh Siag said though several meetings were held to fix the election dates the outcome every time was inconclusive. “I’ve discussed the issue with Sangha on several occasions and had even sent him mails in this regard, in which I told him not to delay the polls any further,” he added.

A source in the varsity said even though letters were exchanged between returning officer Sukhpal Singh and dean of agriculture HS Dhaliwal on holding the association’s annual general body meeting and elections on June 25 and 26, respectively, nothing transpired. “The polls were initially delayed due to the poll code of conduct enforced during the general elections”, he added.