LAHORE: Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) has expressed concern over bureaucracy’s interference in the Punjab University matters.
While addressing press conference, the office bearers of PUASA alleged that bureaucracy is undermining thr autonomy of universities. They also stressed stronger role by Vice-Chancellors (VCs) along with faculty members to oppose the same.
PUASA president Prof Dr Azhar Naeem, secretary Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi, member PU Syndicate Sardar Asghar Iqbal, Prof Dr Farah Rauf Shakoori and others condemned a recent letter by the Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab, which according to them, had challenged issuance date of Disparity Reduction Allowance as approved by the PU Syndicate.
The PUASA office-bearers urged upon the VCs of universities from Punjab to condemn such notifications, reject them and never compromise on the autonomy of universities. They added that PUASA fully supported the rightful demand for the grant of Disparity Reduction Allowance to all the teaching and non-teaching staff of the universities from grade 1 to 22 without any discrimination from June 1, 2021.
They demanded the university administration take firm stand to protect the legitimate autonomy of the university provided in the Act. Further, the university administration must stand tall against the bureaucratic conspiracy aiming at violating the rights of its employees. “We are fully committed to safeguard the rights of our community and will use all options if denied,” they warned. The Punjab University Syndicate and Senate has already sanctioned the amount required for the allowance and approved its implementation. Therefore, it must be granted to already deprived employees and faculty members of universities without any further delay and bureaucratic hurdle, they added.
