The board of governors (BoG) of Punjab Technical University on Friday revoked the dismissal of controversial former dean NP Singh whose services were terminated in July 2013 for favouring an advertising firm and approving a non-existent university centre in Nepal.
The issue of revoking the dismissal was put before the BoG meeting by registrar Amanpreet Singh in Chandigarh on Friday as per provisions of the PTU Act.
Though the BoG has revoked Singh's dismissal, his suspension will continue till further orders. All allegations against him will be probed afresh, a BoG member said.
Though no official communication about the meeting was issued by PTU, it has been learnt that the BoG revoked the dismissal on the grounds that the "vice-chancellor does not have power to dismiss an official without consulting it" (BoG), the apex decision-making body of the university.
A BoG member said the decision to terminate Singh's services dated April 16, 2013, by the then vice-chancellor Rajnish Arora was opposed by several senior members.
An inquiry panel formed by the university had found the former dean of guilty on two counts - accepting forged quotations of a publicity campaign worth `2.5 crore for enrolling students from other states and approving a non-existent centre in Nepal.
{{/usCountry}}An inquiry panel formed by the university had found the former dean of guilty on two counts - accepting forged quotations of a publicity campaign worth `2.5 crore for enrolling students from other states and approving a non-existent centre in Nepal.
{{/usCountry}}In his representation to the BoG, Singh pleaded, "The chargesheet served on me may be set aside and I may be reinstated with all consequential benefits. I am ready to face any inquiry."
It has been learnt that since Singh wields a lot of clout in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the ruling party in the present government, his reinstatement by the university was on the cards after his case was strongly put by the officiating registrar.
A case in this regard is also pending in the Punjab and Haryana high court after Singh had filed a petition challenging his dismissal.
"This is the first step in bringing Singh back to the university. Since his dismissal has been revoked, he would get all due perks," said a senior official.