V-C walks out four times in six-hour long Panjab University senate meet
Matters that led to his reaction included a faculty member’s promotion, insistence on debate over central status, argument over vacant posts
In a senate meeting that went on for six hours, the Panjab University (PU) vice-chancellor Arun Kumar Grover walked out four times, adjourning the meeting.
The first two walk outs by Grover happened after the senators opposed the case of a faculty member, Namita Gupta, over counting of her past services for the promotion under Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), 2010. PUTA president Professor Rajesh Gill has already lodged a complaint with the chancellor stating the V-C had approved Namita’s request for counting of past services.
The case of Namita Gupta was deferred.
In the third instance, Grover moved out when Dr Gurmeet insisted on taking up the issue of central status for the varsity. After arguing that the issue of central status will not be discussed in the senate, the V-C adjourned the meeting.
The fourth and final time the V-C adjourned the meeting was when the senators got into an argument over the issue of colleges in Punjab lying vacant without the post of principals, despite advertisements.
Ashok Goyal, said, “It is unprecedented, where V-C on every other occasion declared the meeting adjourned, taking the members for a ride, who have come all the way to attend the meeting and to discuss the agenda. It is very rare that a person presiding over the meeting walks out on so many instances.”
Ashok Goyal also raised the issue of extending the term of PUCASH chairmanship stating that as per the act, the term of chairman could not have extended.
Goyal said, “When a pertinent question was posed to him, he did not have an answer. The appointing authority is the senate, but the committee has been appointed by the syndicate and it has been put on the website of the PU. The same committee which has been brought to the senate for consideration and for appointing is already shown on the website of the university working as the internal complaints committee under the act.”
Senators also highlighted that back door entry to the principals and stated the re-employment should not be extended to affiliated colleges.
‘VK Chopra’s acts have caused anguish to members’
The V-C stated that VK Chopra’s employment period stands curtailed as he continues to indulge in acts that are unacceptable.
VK Chopra is a former teacher at the evening studies department. Chopra had filed complaints to the chancellor, alleging corruption in the university functioning.
“He has been indulging in acts which amount to causing anguish to members of governing body, political leadership of the country and the chancellor’s office. A committee was appointed chaired by Professor Rajat Sandhir. They have resolved certain things. Same discipline applies to teachers re-employed because we are giving them honour to participate in varsity activities. Action may be taken by the competent authority. If he continues to do this, the authority can hold an inquiry or initiate proceedings.”
Meanwhile the case of two professors’ whose probation was extended due to their misdemeanour on the campus, was also technically approved after half an hour debate, considering it as a deemed confirmation.
The V-C then adjourned the meeting, stating the rest of the items will be considered at the another scheduled meeting.
‘Unprecedented’ The vice-chancellor took members for a ride, it was rare to see person presiding over the meet walking out so many times, says a senator.