Prof Manjit Singh is new PUTA chief

All winning members of the executive committee are from the Gaur group. This is the first time Prof Manjit Singh has been elected as president of the association. In 2007 and 2008,he won the polls for the post of secretary.

Talking to Newsline,Singh said: “I will continue to work for the betterment of the teaching community. My priorities will be to revive the issue of central university status and getting the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations implemented.”

Though vice-president Kang is from the Gaur camp,she promised to extend full support to the PUTA president. Prof Singh shared similar views,stating that PUTA was a family and they were united. “Together,we will work towards the development of the teaching community,” he added.

Despite rains,the elections saw a heavy turnout with around 530 voters casting their votes. The process began at 10 am and concluded around 1.30. The results were declared around 4 pm.

Sources said the winning panel was anti-administration and officials in the university must get ready to face them. A senior faculty member said: “Most of the Senate members and the entire Syndicate are pro-Vice-Chancellor. At last,we have someone to question the administrative setup. PUTA did nothing much for the teachers in the previous term and thus we expect the new president to play a much better role towards the betterment of the teaching community.”