V-C’s proposal: Panjab University registrar says no to extension

Panjab University (PU) registrar Col Guljit Singh Chadha (retd) in a letter to vice-chancellor (V-C) Arun K Grover has declined to accept an extension after his tenure gets over on September 30 later this year.

The V-C was to place the proposal for extending Chadha’s tenure up to the age of superannuation as an agenda item in the syndicate meeting to be held on Sunday.

Chadha, who had taken charge as the registrar on October 1, 2014 — a day after he retired from the army — is the first “outsider” in the past decade and the first army veteran to hold the position at PU. The registrar is appointed for four years and can be given extension by the senate, the apex decision-making body of the university.

In a letter to the V-C on Saturday, Chadha said: “Owing to personal reasons, I express my inability to continue my service beyond my present term, which concludes on September 30, 2018.” He further wrote that he would be “happy to offer his assistance anytime, if the university so desires, gratis (without charge)”.

Confirming the same, Grover said: “He (Col Chadha) has declined to accept any extension beyond his present term.” When called over the phone, Chadha said: “The matter has been put forth before the syndicate. The members will take a call.”

Chadha’s appointment remained controversial as a university professor had moved the Punjab and Haryana high court challenging it. However, the court in 2015 upheld it, stating that laid down process was followed for the appointment.

Several syndicate members said the matter of tenure extension should have come before the executive body a month prior to the registrar’s retirement. Not favouring the extension, a member, not wishing to be names, said: “As a new V-C will be coming in soon, why is there such a hurry for extension to the registrar?”

Most syndics to skip meeting

Meanwhile, even as most syndicate members have expressed their inability to attend the meeting, it will be held on Sunday.

The syndicate comprises 15 members. Five members are required to be in attendance to meet the quorum and conduct the proceedings.

According to sources, around 10 members conveyed their inability to attend the meeting during vacations.

Usually, the syndicate doesn’t meet during the vacation period in June.

“A notice was sent about the May 10 meeting to syndicate members on May 31. The meeting was convened to discuss pending and deferred agendas,” said syndicate member Ashok Goyal.

It is not the first time that Grover is at loggerheads with the syndicate. In May, the syndicate withdrew powers delegated to the V-C over an affidavit suggesting governance reforms filed by him in the Punjab and Haryana high court. The V-C refused to comment on the issue.