Baldev Singh Dhillon refuses to continue as Punjab Agricultural University vice-chancellor

LUDHIANA: A day after the board of management of Punjab Agricultural University decided to give a month’s extension to Baldev Singh Dhillon as the vice-chancellor, the incumbent refused it, citing family circumstances.
In a letter to chief secretary Vinni Mahajan, he wrote, “I am highly grateful to the board and the government for reposing faith in me and deciding to re-appoint me as the vice-chancellor of PAU for a month. I feel greatly honored. I wish to inform that due to family circumstances, I will not be able to continue to shoulder the responsibility of vice-chancellor of PAU. I regret this inconvenience and request the members of the board to excuse me for this decision. I wish to place on record my gratitude to the board of management, the state government, faculty, staff, and students for wholeheartedly supporting me and PAU during my tenure as its vice-chancellor, which enabled the university to attain newer heights.”
The letter has also been marked to Punjab additional chief secretary (development) Anirudh Tiwari.
Dhillon was appointed as the PAU VC in 2011 for four years. He was again given the charge in 2015 for another four years up to 2019. Thereafter, his term was extended by two years.
PAU Teachers’ Association secretary KS Sangha said, “We appeal to the government that a new VC be appointed with a modern and futuristic vision and applications be called from eminent scientists and academicians to take PAU to greater heights in this phase of crisis when research needs reorientation and income of agitating farmers must be enhanced.”