V-C orders probe into PhD application case

A recent case related to the approval and cancellation of a PhD registration in history department of the Panjab University has left question marks on the administrative functioning of the institution. Not only an inquiry into the entire matter has been marked by the V-C,but the issued will also come up for discussion in the Senate meeting scheduled in the first week next month.

The PhD application of Vijay Dhanda,wife of an Akali leader from Ludhiana and Chief Parliamentary Secretary,Punjab,Harish Dhanda,was approved by the Dean University Instructions (DUI) Prof S C Vaidya. It was,however,cancelled after a committee pointed to a number of loopholes in the application and lack of communication among the top university officials in approving the case. The committee was set up by V-C Prof R C Sobti to inquire into the registration. The latest inquiry is expected to probe the role of those university officials,who helped in getting the application approved.

As per the procedure,any individual wanting to pursue PhD at the university has to appear for an entrance exam and an exemption is allowed if an individual has cleared the NET or is a regular faculty at the university. Vijay contends that the exemption is for regular/approved faculty and since she is an approved faculty member,she qualifies for the exemption. The committee,however,cancelled her registration claiming that there was no rule for the approved faculty member.

Also,before registration,the case has to be approved by the chairperson of the department. Sources,however,said the chairperson of the history department Prof Veena Sachdeva did not approve the application,which was later sent to the DUI,who gave the nod.

The V-C had reportedly expressed his annoyance over the issue claiming that he was kept in the dark by the university staff in the case.