Chandigarh: Prof Arun Kumar Grover, Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, has not received his salary for the past three months.
He told this to students from various campus-based organisations, who were attending a meeting with him and other university officials here today.
The VC made the statement when ABVP member Krishan Sheoran, one of the students protesting against the fee hike, questioned him as to how much his salary was. “File an RTI plea to know about that,” the VC said..
He said his salary at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, and the PU was exactly the same. Not a penny more, not a penny less, he said.
Getting a bit emotional, Professor Grover said he had not received his salary for the past three months. “Everyone complains. The teachers complain when their salaries are delayed. The students complain when the fee is hiked. Who do I go and complain to?” asked the Vice-Chancellor in a poignant tone.
The VC confirmed he had not received his salary for the months of January, February and March as the case of re-fixation of his salary was pending with the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, which lasted over an hour and a half, students from the NSUI, PUSUS, ABVP, SOI, SFS and other organisations urged Professor Grover to find a solution to the fee hike. The VC, however, expressed helplessness.
When the students urged the VC to guide them as to what could be done, he refused to comment. “I cannot say anything more on the issue,” said an exasperated Professor Grover.
Student leaders Daman, Harman and Nitin told the VC that the student organisations were ready to unite and take up the cause provided the university lent its support to them. “As many as 15,000 students are with you. If you agree to provide a solution, we are ready to go to Delhi with you. Just say something,” urged Nitin. However, he failed to evoke any response from the VC.
We are not here to protest, say students
Student leaders told the VC that they were not keen on protesting and were looking for a peaceful way out. “Our parents didn’t send us here to protest and to be beaten up. Neither are we here to ruin the atmosphere of the university. We dislike protesting as much as you dislike our protests,” said the student leaders. The VC, however, remained mum.
Demand for emergency Senate meeting rejected
The VC said the next hearing with regard to the UGC’s special leave petition was on April 10 in the apex court. He said if the outcome of the hearing turned out to be positive, the next hearing would be held in the High Court on April 17. “No meeting can be held before April 17,” he told the students who were demanding an emergency Senate meeting to discuss the fee hike issue. He said the fee hike matter would be discussed at a meeting of the Board of Finance and Syndicate, scheduled for April 30.
Student representatives to meet Senators on April 10
During the meeting, the students’ demand for an emergency Senate meeting was rejected by the VC. He said he would consider the demand if the Senators sent a proposal in this regard. He asked the students to meet the Senators in this regard. It was decided that 10 student representatives from various student organisations would meet 10 Senators on April 10 to discuss the fee hike issue.