Forced to do clerical work, allege research scholars

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 23

Research scholars at various departments at Punjabi University are, allegedly, forced to do clerical work apart from their research work. The allegations have been raised by research scholars of the university in a letter submitted to Dean Academics Dr GS Batra.

During a conversation with The Tribune, the scholars also alleged that proper protocol regarding attendance was not followed at the departments.

Varinder Khurana, a research scholar at the Department of Linguistics, said, “Research scholars at various departments are made to do clerical work apart from their research work. It includes tally work at the departmental libraries, typing of letters and other works. Instead of allotting us such tasks the department officials can depute us to deliver lectures as we are NET qualified and eligible for being hired as assistant professors. Also, some departments mark attendance even thrice a day for which the research scholars are forced to go to the departments repeatedly.”

The students in the letter submitted to the Dean, Academics, said the university should implement a code of conduct in relation to the research fellows at the departments. They also said there is no provision of marking attendance at departments repeatedly as per rules of the UGC and such practice should be stopped with immediate effect.

Dr GS Batra said a complaiant by the scholars has been received and they will find out if the norms are being violated at any department. He said, “We have received the complaint and will examine any specific case and implement corrective measures.” He added that he had demanded the exact method of attendence marking as per the UGC norms and will find out if there is any deviation from the from the process at any department.”