Syndicate too fails Senate-reject V-C appointees

The candidature of Gurmeet Singh and Dalwinder Singh was first recommended by a selection committee for appointment as lecturers in athletics and hockey, respectively, and their appointment was cleared by the Syndicate.

Within a few days, they were issued appointment letters and the two joined duty. Their letter mentioned that they had been appointed in anticipation of approval of the Senate.

Within a few days of their joining, the Senate held its meeting where senators criticised the appointments. A senator pointed out that certain conditions had been waived for the benefit of the candidates, following which the Vice-Chancellor expressed his regrets and decided to withdraw the item concerning the appointments from the Senate agenda.

More drama was to follow as despite the withdrawal of their appointment, the two were allowed to continue in service for nearly a month. Later, following a news item in Newsline that two persons had been allowed to continue as lecturers despite the withdrawal of their appointment letters, the university relieved them from service. Shortly afterwards, the Vice-Chancellor issued them appointment letters for a period of one year using his emergency powers of appointment, and the two candidates once again joined service at the Department of Physical Education.

At Saturday8217;s meeting, syndics criticised the V-C on the appointments and a heated debate later, the Syndicate turned down the appointments.

Meanwhile, since both the candidates had resigned from their previous jobs to join PU, some faculty members said they felt sorry for the two as they had been rendered quot;joblessquot;.