Punjabi University faculty challenges Vice-Chancellor appointment in High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken up a plea from the Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) challenging the appointment of Arvind Kumar as the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of Punjabi University, Patiala. The plea was heard by a bench headed by Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj, who has requested responses from both the Punjab government and Kumar by April 10.

PUTA's plea and allegations:

PUTA's plea argues against the appointment of Arvind Kumar as V-C, citing that he does not meet the minimum conditions set by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the appointment of teachers and academic staff members. They seek the annulment of the government's order dated April 20, 2021, which appointed Kumar as the V-C.

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High Court's intervention:

In response to PUTA's plea, the High Court has directed the Punjab government and Arvind Kumar to provide their responses by April 10. This intervention by the court highlights the significance of the issue and the need for a thorough examination of the appointment process for the V-C position at Punjabi University.

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The court's decision to seek responses from both parties indicates its commitment to ensuring that appointments to important academic positions adhere to established standards and regulations. This move reflects the court's role in safeguarding the integrity and quality of academic institutions, such as Punjabi University, by addressing concerns raised by faculty bodies like PUTA.