Recovery pending, scam accused Punjabi University staffer seeks retirement

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 6

An employee working with Punjabi University, Patiala, who has been named along with three others in a report of the Vigilance Department for recovery of Rs 2 crore in an alleged scam committed on the campus years ago, has sought voluntary retirement. University officials on Friday said the request had not yet been approved. Interestingly, sources said he was set to fly abroad, but the administration was unaware of it.

Registrar Prof Varinder Kaushik said, “The employee has submitted an application for voluntary retirement from service.” Asked whether the university would accept it pending the recovery, he said the university would follow the rule of law and conduct a proper screening of his record.

Meanwhile, the university is yet to apportion the recovery amount among those named in the report. Vice-Chancellor Prof Arvind had on Monday said the university was yet to decide upon division of the amount. He said, “One of those named in the report has died. We have sought legal advice on how to deal with the situation. We have also demanded advice on division of the amount among other employees.”