Gross irregularities have come to light in the selection of contractual teachers for the constituent colleges of Punjabi University, Patiala. On the basis of the enquiry report, show-cause notices have been issued to 25 teachers, informed the Officiating Vice-Chancellor and Secretary, Higher Education Anurag Verma

Patiala: Gross irregularities have come to light in the selection of contractual teachers for the constituent colleges of Punjabi University, Patiala. On the basis of the enquiry report, show-cause notices have been issued to 25 teachers, informed the Officiating Vice-Chancellor and Secretary, Higher Education Anurag Verma. The report found marked difference in the marks obtained by 17 of them in Academic Record and Research Performance (ARRP) and the interview. They were unjustifiably awarded more marks in the interview than the ARRP. Verma has ordered the university Registrar take into account other irregularities that have come to light in the enquiry report and to put up proposal within a week detailing required action that may be initiated the guilty. The UGC guidelines allow 20 percent marks for the interview but the enquiry revealed that the interview committee also included in this component 30 percent marks meant for assessment of domain knowledge and teaching skills. This way undue favour was given to the candidates in selection by arbitrarily increasing the total interview marks to 50. For instance, a candidate for the post of Assistant Professor at the University College, Chunni Kalan scored 32.41/50 in ARRP but was pushed out of reckoning by awarding only 23 marks in the interview. But the candidate getting the lowest 25.09 marks in the ARRP component was eventually selected by awarding 31/50 in the interview. Similarly, a candidate at Guru Kashi College, Damdama Sahib getting 35.30 marks in ARRP was rejected by awarding only 19/50 in the interview. But another candidate at the lowest position in the merit getting 22/50 in ARRP was selected with award of 38/50 in the interview. Verma said all this amounted to ignoring merit which demoralized the deserving candidates but, at the same time, did injustice to the students by providing them teachers found wanting in merit. Besides, there were 8 candidates who have been given exemption in qualifications laid down under National Eligibility Test (NET).