Panjab University teachers' association president resigns

Chandigarh, Sep 15 : Panjab University Teachers' Association (PUTA) president Ronki Ram has resigned from the post just 25 days after his election following a difference in opinion with other members of the group.

Faculty members have accused Ronki Ram, who resigned Sunday, of going soft on the issue of central status for the university and of working in connivance with the Punjab government. The state government had on Sep 1 withdrawn its approval for central university status for the institution.

"Ronki Ram's demand for 100 percent financial grant for the university from the union government over the central status of PU is the main cause of his debacle," said a PUTA member.

"He is working on the guidelines of Punjab government and has weakened the struggle for central status," the teacher added.

"I am very hurt by the allegations against me. Therefore, I have resigned on the ethical grounds in the larger interest of PU and to maintain the dignity of the PUTA president post," Ronki Ram told IANS.

"Our foremost requirement is finances as PU is reeling under heavy financial crunch. So I had suggested PUTA members to first demand 100 percent funding from the union government and then intensify our demand for central status but some of the members did not agree and accused me of taking the side of the Punjab government," said Ronki Ram.

--IANS