Panel for chance to opt for old pension policy

Chandigarh, March 8

A committee, headed by Ashok Goyal, has recommended another chance to exercise the option for availing of the old pension scheme to those who had joined the service of the university before January 1, 2004, but had not opted for the pension earlier.

The committee further recommended that those who had joined the service before February 2006, which is the date of notification for amending the pension regulations, be also covered for pension benefits. It also recommended that those who joined the university after the age of 35 years be granted the old pension scheme unless and until they had opted specifically to be governed by the contributory Provident Fund Scheme within three months of their joining the service.

It has been decided in the Syndicate to refer the committee’s report and the demand of the university employees to extend the date for the pension scheme to be continued upto 2012 to the university’s legal counsel for its legal vetting.

Academics first

Syndicate members deliberated on several academic issues ranging from framing the rules and regulations of MPhil and PhD guidelines in accordance with the UGC minimum standards to rationalising the fee structure. Also, for admission to MA (English), the PU will now consider the marks of common entrance test, excluding the previous provision of 50 per cent weightage to the academic score.