GU syndicate members walk out over ‘principal row’

The Gujarat University syndicate meeting on Saturday came to an abrupt end with the walkout of eight members over the issue of J G College of Commerce principal Saurabh Chowksi. Syndicate members P C Upadhyaya and Digvijaysinh Gohil in a meeting on May 9 had stated that the appointment of Chowksi was “illegal” and demanded that the university should withdraw its approval to Chowksi’s appointment by the college management.

Though Vice-Chancellor Parimal Trivedi had told mediapersons that the varsity had withdrawn its approval to Chowksi’s appointment, Chowksi is continuing as principal despite Trivedi’s statement to the media. Upadhyaya and Gohil said Chowksi had taken voluntary retirement from C C Seth College of Commerce in 2002. A few months ago,he joined J G College of Commerce . Apart from the pension,the duo pointed out that Chowksi is also getting a principal’s salary as per sixth pay commission recommendations.

Upadhyaya and Gohil pointed out at the meeting that drawing full pension as well as full salary at the same time amounted to “fraud” and hence,Chowksi be dropped from the post of principal immediately.

A probe by the university also found that Chowksi did not have a Ph.D,which is mandatory for the post according to the UGC rules .