Chandigarh, December 19, 2008
Punjab Technical University (PTU), Jalandhar, finally got a
regular vice-chancellor today with the Punjab
Governor-cum-chancellor, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), today
clearing the name of Dr Rajneesh Arora for the prestigious post.
In fact, with the appointment of Dr
Arora, former vice-president of the Punjab unit of the RSS,
the Parkash Singh Badal government seems to have its way in the
appointment. Earlier, the Governor has reportedly sent the file
back following media reports that the appointment of an active RSS worker would lead to the “saffronisation” of the technical
education in the state.
The appointment of Dr Arora seems to be
a part of the deal the SAD had with its partner, the BJP.
Even Badal had gone on record saying that the appointment of the
“RSS activist” would in no way lead the “saffronisation” of the
technical education in the state. The government had
recommended only one name to the Governor for the post.
Dr Arora, who has been principal of
Amritsar College of Engineering and Technology, Amritsar, is
credited with the launch of the placement department in Guru
Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. He has been the dean (alumni) of
the Amritsar university and is also credited with working at the
grassroots level for the tribals in Chhattisgarh. He will
succeed Tejinder Kaur, principal secretary, technical education,
who has been officiating as vice-chancellor following the
resignation of Dr S.K. Salwan.
Dr Salwan, a renowned scientist, had
reportedly resigned in April this year following an “uneasy
relationship” with the “agitation-minded” staff of the
university.
Dr Arora would have a tough task on
hand in managing teaching and non-teaching staff, who had been
on the warpath with the university management for the
implementation of various demands, including enhanced pay and
perks, regularisation of the ad hoc and contractual employees
and more promotional avenues.
