CHANDIGARH: Over 4,500 employees of Punjabi University in Patiala are facing an anxious wait for their salaries for the month of May, as the state government has yet to disburse the anticipated monthly grant-in-aid of ₹30 crore. The delay has led to growing discontent among the university staff, who are demanding the immediate release of their outstanding dues.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the university requires approximately ₹32 crore each month to cover its salary obligations. University officials have stated that the salaries will be processed and released promptly once the necessary grant is received from the government.
Representatives from the Punjabi University Employees’ Association (Group B and C), led by president Gurjeet Singh Gopalpuri, have reportedly met with Sonali Giri, Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department. During the meeting, they urged for the swift release of employee salaries and advocated for the establishment of a reliable system to ensure regular and timely salary disbursements. The association emphasized that employees should ideally receive their salaries within the first three working days of each month.
Professor Nishan Singh, president of the Punjabi University Teachers’ Association (PUTA), corroborated that the salary delay is directly linked to the non-receipt of the government grant. He noted that while salaries have been paid on time in previous months, this recent delay has once again brought to the forefront the persistent financial challenges confronting the university.
Punjabi University has been experiencing a significant financial crisis for several years, with reports suggesting a substantial debt burden estimated to be close to ₹400 crore. The ongoing delay in salary payments is reportedly causing considerable hardship for many employees, impacting their ability to manage essential household expenses, cover educational costs for their children, and meet financial obligations such as bank loan repayments.
Amarjeet Kaur Gill, convener of the Employees’ Joint Struggle Committee, highlighted the considerable difficulties faced by the staff due to the delayed payments, stating that routine household expenditures have been significantly affected.
Employee unions have collectively appealed to the university administration and Vice-Chancellor Jagdeep Singh to take immediate and effective measures to expedite the release of their salaries.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
