Punjabi varsity for payment of benefits to retirees in installment

After the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered to attach the one-third salary of Sanjiv Puri, Registrar of Punjabi University, Patiala, the university in a communique explained that this action stemmed from delays in disbursing certain benefits to retirees.

The administration of Punjabi University, Patiala, attributed these delays to a severe financial crunch, which has prevented the release of funds in a single payment.

Instead, the university has proposed disbursing the benefits in installments, stated a statement. The contention, it noted, revolves solely around the start date of these installments — whether they should commence in February 2025 or June 2025, stated the university in a communique.

To resolve this, the university has filed a civil miscellaneous application before the court, expressing its commitment to making every effort to initiate payments. The application is slated for a hearing in the coming days, reads the communique. The university has urged that the claims made by the retired employees, as reported, do not align with the facts.

On the other hand, Jagbir Singh, chairman, Joint Action Committee for Pensioners, slammed the claim made by the university as baseless.  Punjabi University Retired Teachers’ Association (PURTA) questioned the financial crises as Rs 400 crore were received this year. “Is it only for senior citizens that university is pretending to remain in financial crunch?” said Jagbir Singh.

He also accused the university authorities of indulging in favouritism. They said while many were offered and given dues in instalments, full payments were given to some favourites who retired recently.

Patiala