2 days ago
Punjabi University teachers threaten boycott over salary delay
Patiala: Faculty members of Punjabi University Patiala are yet to receive their salaries for July 2025, even as most of Aug has passed. Expressing strong resentment over the delay, the Punjabi University Teachers' Association (PUTA) has submitted a formal letter to the vice-chancellor, demanding the release of salaries by Aug 20.
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PUTA has warned that if their demand is not met, university teachers will boycott classes from Aug 21.
PUTA president Prof Bhupinder Singh Virk urged the Punjab govt to immediately release the university's monthly grants. "If the govt ignores this serious issue, PUTA will be forced to adopt a more stringent approach. In case the situation does not improve, we will be compelled to launch a large-scale protest," he said.
Echoing the concern, PUTA secretary Charanjeev Singh said that salary is a fundamental right of employees, and its delay leads to both financial and mental distress. "In today's era of inflation, it is impossible to meet essential expenses such as electricity, water, school fees, and other household costs without timely salaries. When teachers are battling financial insecurity, it directly affects their ability to teach students effectively," he said.
The association has demanded that the Punjab govt release the required grant without further delay, emphasising that the financial uncertainty of teachers ultimately impacts the future of students.
In the past the PUTA had protested several times to demand the release of salaries of the faculty members after a delay of one or two months. Earlier in mid of Dec 2023, PUTA had boycott the services during examinations at Punjabi University main campus and its regional centers and neighborhood campuses due to failure of salaries for over a month.
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An official said that monthly grant of Rs 32 crore was not released by the state government for the month of July following which the salaries could not be disbursed to the faculty.
Sources in the university said the government grant of Rs 32 crore is provided every month to the university whereas Rs 35 crore are spent on salaries of employees and Rs 10 crore on pensions by the university. "We have to use the resources of university including Rs 200 crore of annual income from the fees. The university is facing crisis and even this year a deficit budget was presented", said a university official.
