17012023-CT-01.qxd 1/17/2023 12:56 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune 7 SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN UT TO HOUSE HEALTH CENTRES HARYANA PLAYERS SEEK 3% JOB QUOTA IN ALL DEPTS HARNOOR, PARDEEP SCORE TON IN TIE AGAINST BIHAR UT Administration has decided to use vacant buildings to set up HWCs under PM-ABHIM. P2 Sportspersons from the state hold a demonstration seeking 3% job quota in all departments. P2 Fine centuries by openers Harnoor, Pardeep help Chandigarh gain a 77-run lead against Bihar. P3 » » TRICITY COVID REPORT CHD P’KULA MOHALI POSITIVE 99,358 48,434 1,01,163 RECOVERED 98,174 48,013 99,993 NEW CASES 0 0 0 ACTIVE 3 0 2 CHANGE 1 0 2 DEATHS 1,181 421 1,168 NEW 0 0 0 AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 260 PANCHKULA 69 MOHALI 201 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD INBRIEF MAN HELD WITH 700-GM GANJA Chandigarh: The UT police have arrested a Sector 38-West resident for possessing 700-gm ganja. The police said uspect Roshan was nabbed near the 3BRD gate with the contraband. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at the Sector 31 police station. TNS YOUTH ARRESTED FOR HOUSE THEFT Chandigarh: An 18-year-old youth was allegedly nabbed red-handed stealing sanitary items from a house in Sector 44. Complainant Ujjval Bhasin claimed the suspect, Nitin, a resident of Burail, was caught stealing sanitary items. A case has been registered. TNS YOUTH CAUGHT STEALING BICYCLE Chandigarh: A 19-year-old youth has been arrested for allegedly stealing a bicycle. Complainant Ram Bhajan, a resident of Kajheri, alleged Ashu Kumar was caught redhanded stealing his bicycle from Sector 51. A case has been registered. TNS MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 17°C | MIN 4°C YESTERDAY MAX 18.2°C | MIN 4.2°C SUNSET TUESDAY 5:46 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7:19 AM » TUESDAY | 17 JANUARY 2023 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE ‘Graft’, face-off with Senators cost PU VC his job Fallout with senior fellow Satya Pal Jain, PUTA plaints key factors | Personal reasons behind quitting: Varsity Deepankar Sharda Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 16 Perhaps for the first time in the 140-year history of Panjab University, a Vice-Chancellor (VC) has been asked to leave the office by the Chancellor on charges of corruption. The resignation of Prof Raj Kumar, the 13th VC of the university, came amid serious corruption allegations against him by members of the university’s governing body (Senate and Syndicate). Prof Kumar, who remained mired in controversies, had been facing the ire of the Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) and various students’ political groups. He had recently fallen out of favour with senior fellow Satya Pal Jain, former city MP and Additional Solicitor of India. Prof Kumar, who was heading the university for a second term, had joined the post on July 23, 2018. He was given a second three-year term in July 2021. During his previous term, he was in direct fight with the previous majority group of the governing body headed by Ashok GoyalNavdeep Goyal. As the time passed and the Jain group gained majority in the Senate and Syndicate, Prof Kumar initially enjoyed their support. However, things changed when he was accused of involvement in corruption. The PU spokesperson said Prof Kumar had quit citing family reasons. “The resignation was accepted by Chancellor, Panjab University,” said the spokesperson. Forces behind ouster Jain, who reportedly played a key role in Kumar’s ouster, said the only problem was “corruption”. “I wish him well. I won’t comment on whether we will pursue police SECOND TERM WAS TO END IN 2024 HOW THINGS WENT SOUTH FOR HIM Jan 8:Senior Senate member Satya Pal Jain meets Vice-President and PU Chancellor Jagdeep Dhankhar. Documentation supporting VC’s alleged involvement in graft submitted; other senators also give proof, say sources Jan 10: Chancellor’s office summons Prof Raj Kumar to national capital. Prof Kumar asked Prof Raj Kumar, a professor at the Institute of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University, was appointed as the 13th VC of PU on July 23, 2018, for a period of three years. He was given a three-year extension in 2021. His tenure was to complete on July 23, 2024. Kumar left the city in a private cab at 3 pm on Monday, claimed sources. CENTRAL AGENCY PROBE WAS ON CARDS PROF VIG 1ST WOMAN TO HOLD PU REINS The Chancellor’s office was ready to mark a central investigation agency inquiry against Prof Raj Kumar had he refused to resign, sources have said. Prof Renu Vig, Dean of University Instructions, who took charge as the officiating VC is the first woman to take PU’s reins. “Today, on the orders of Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice-President of India and Chancellor, PU, Prof Renu Vig assumed charge as new PU VC till alternative arrangements are made or until further orders,” said an order. Prof Raj Kumar hands over charge of officiating VC to Prof Renu Vig. CHANCELLOR’S MOVE COMMENDABLE ❝I wish him (VC) well. I won’t comment on — Satya Pal Jain, EX-MP & SENIOR FELLOW inquiry against him. But the Chancellor has done a commendable job. All university stakeholders should work towards development of the institution now,” said Jain. “Satyamev Jayate! It’s a victory of PM’s vision ‘zero tolerance on corruption’. We will now strive to regain the glory of PU in academics and research,” said Davesh Moudgil, Senator, who led the charge of corruption against UNENVIABLE FIRSTS ■ 13th PU VC was perhaps first in varsity’s history to face graft charge ■ Also, first to have failed to complete tenure, forced to quit ■ Gave maximum number of addl charges of various posts to faculty ELABORATE SECURITY During his tenure, VC’s residential locality was for the first time cordoned off citing security reasons. He moved in a cavalcade of PU security officials on the campus. ALLEGATIONS LEVELLED AGAINST PROF KUMAR ‘REWARDED’ VARIOUS POSITIONS TO FACULTY Senate member Davesh Moudgil had levelled serious allegations against the VC of managing Syndicate polls by rewarding fellows with various positions. He alleged fellows were adjusted to different posts, including Deans, Honorary Directors and principals. ‘INDULGED’ IN CORRUPTION ■ Multi-tasking workers’ recruitment ‘scam’ whether or not we will pursue police inquiry against him. Chancellor has done a commendable job. All stakeholders should work towards PU’s development now. ❞ to resign, but he seeks a few days to clear backlog of files; is informed about Chancellor’s decision Jan 13: After considering legal aspects, VC’s resignation accepted. In a first, two notifications issued in one order — resignation accepted and Dean of University Instructions asked to join charge on January 16 forenoon ■ JE bribery ‘scandal’ ■ ‘Violated’ varsity calendar for handling unfair means cases ■ Affiliation committee bribery Satya Pal Jain with V-P &PUChancellorJagdeep Dhankhar in Delhi on Jan 8. Prof Kumar in the last few meetings. At the last Senate meeting, Moudgil had asked Prof Kumar to mend ways or he will land up in jail. For the first time in the past decade, the meeting saw two disruptions before being adjourned sine die. Later, the meeting was called online, only to be postponed after objections by several fellows. “We should now rise above political lines and work for the welfare of university. It’s a good decision by the Chancellor and the university will achieve new heights in the coming days,” added Jain. Bad first impression? Last November, when Jagdeep Dhankhar, VicePresident of India and Chancellor of the university, visited the campus, he had reportedly pointed out the shortcomings. “The present ‘scandal’ ■ ‘Ignored’ seniority for promotions ■ ‘Took bribe’ by introducing gift culture ■ ‘Gave’ pvt firms advertisement rights against rules state of affairs needs to be revisited, not because there is fault in it but because there has to be a generational change from the technological point of view,” he had said. The comments came at a time when the university had performed poorly in various global and national rankings. In the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, released last month, the PU was ■ ‘Compromised’ on work quality in eight engineering wings ■ ‘Took bribe’ for not fining 9 colleges ■ ‘Took ~14K each from hostel funds for Yoga Day; ‘paid’ bills without purchasing a single mat placed in the 801-1,000 bracket. The same evening, various stakeholders had met Dhankar and levelled allegations against the VC. Sources claimed the Chancellor had suggested the VC to work for the welfare of the university. Asking stakeholders to write to him for suggestions, he had said: “I want to generate a platform of interaction and you may expect even most difficult decisions from my end.” Shortcomings flagged by teachers’ association PUTA also played an important role in Prof Kumar’s resignation. The body had pointed to various shortcomings and illegal practices happening right under the nose of the administration. “PUTA extends profound gratitude to Chancellor for saving PU from the VC facing serious allegations of corruption and paving the way for a corruption-free university. We appreciate the firmness and administrative acumen exhibited by the Chancellor in dealing with the multiple complaints, serious in nature. PUTA assures complete support and shall be extremely happy to extend all services, as and when directed,” stated a PUTA communique. UT Vigilance probe next? In the coming weeks, the university is likely to witness a major shuffle on important posts. Prof Kumar was known for forming various committees and allotting additional charges to faculty members of important posts. Sources claim apart from an internal inquiry, the Vigilance Department of the UT Administration will investigate the matter to nab officers involved in alleged corruption. A complaint in this regard was already made in November. Flaunted power Prof Kumar was known to be flamboyant when it came to showing off power. He used to be surrounded by a ring of PU security personnel and often travelled with a cavalcade. He, though, initiated cleanliness drives on the campus and pushed for seminars on various occasions, but apparently failed to gain trust in terms of running university affairs. Two stab, rob food delivery boy of mobile, ~8K cash in Balongi Keen contest on cards today as Cong to abstain, SAD undecided Tribune News Service BJP has edge with single vote, AAP banks on cross-voting Mohali, January 16 A food delivery boy was stabbed and robbed of cash and mobile phone by three unidentified armed youths near Jhampur village near Balongi here early on Tuesday. Victim Anoop Singh sustained 11 stab injuries, three of them deep wounds, after two knife-wielding assailants attacked him half a kilometre from his house at Jhampur around 2 am. He was returning home after delivering a parcel in the Jujhar Nagar area. The victim was admitted to the PGI, where his condition was stated to be stable. After SUFFERS 11 WOUNDS ■ Victim Anoop Singh was returning waylaying the bike-borne youth, the assailants snatched his phone and Rs 8,000 in cash before pushing him into the fields. The victim managed to reach home on his bike and his family rushed him to the hospital. Anoop sustained stab injuries in the abdomen, Sandeep Rana home after delivering a parcel when he was waylaid near his house at Jhampur around 2 am ■ He sustained 11 stab injuries, three of them deep wounds, in the abdomen, nose, chest and back; his condition is stated to be stable Tribune News Service nose, chest and back. A case under Sections 307, 379-B, 323, 324 and 506 of the IPC was registered at the Balongi police station today. DSP Rupinderdeep Kaur said: “The police were scouring the CCTV footage of the area and the suspects are expected to be nabbed soon.” Reprieve expected from fog till Jan 21 Chandigarh, January 16 Relief from dense fog is expected over the next five days. According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Department, there is forecast of fog till January 21 in the city. The sky is likely to be clear or cloudy till then. The city witnessed a sunny day even as cold wave conditions prevailed. The city recorded the maximum temperature of 18.2 °C, slightly higher than yesterday’s 17.4 °C. This is still three Continued on page 2 Visitors enjoy a sunny weather at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: NITIN MITTAL A CCTV grab of speeding car and victim near Furniture Market, Sector 53. Woman feeding stray dog hurt in hit-&-run Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 16 In a hit-and-run case, a 25year-old woman was injured after being hit by a rashly driven SUV while she was feeding a stray dog near Furniture Market, Sector 53, on Saturday night. The victim has been identified as Tejaswita Kaushal, a resident of Sector 51. The suspect behind the wheel was identified as retired Army Major Sandeep Shahi, a resident of Mohali. The incident, which took place at 11.39 pm, was caught on the CCTV camera installed near the scene. In the video, the victim can be seen feeding a stray dog when a speeding Creta hits her and sped away. The victim got tossed on to the roadside. The victim, a UPSC aspi- c m y b Retd Army Major held for rash driving, bailed out rant, was taken to the hospital and later discharged after treatment. Sources said initially the victim didn’t lodge a complaint with the police. However, a complaint was filed after the police persuaded her to do so. The police today registered a case under Sections 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code at the Sector 36 police station and arrested the suspect, who was later released on bail. The car has been seized by the police. Sources said the victim was a dog lover and had been feeding stray canines for quite some time. Chandigarh, January 16 A close fight is expected between the BJP and AAP as the MC House elects new Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor on Tuesday. With the Congress today deciding to abstain from the elections, the BJP will go into the mayoral polls with the edge, having an extra vote of MP Kirron Kher, the ex officio member, while rival AAP is pinning hopes on cross-voting from the ruling party’s councillors. Last year too, the six Congress councillors had stayed away from polling. The SAD, which is yet to show its cards, is also expected to abstain. Last year, its lone councillor Hardeep Singh had attended the House on the polling day, but staged a walkout. Both BJP and AAP have 14 votes each, but the former has the advantage in the form of MP’s vote. However, a lot will depend on cross or invalid votes, if any. The two units exuded confidence of winning the elections. BJP’s Arun Sood told Chandigarh Tribune: “We are the single largest party in the MC House. Thus, we are surely going to win the elections.” MAYORAL POLL WINNING FORMULA ■ Winners will be elected through a secret ballot to three posts in 36member House. The BJP and AAP have 29 votes between them. With Cong and SAD abstaining, candidates securing 15 votes will win respective posts ■ If equal number of votes are polled owing to possible cross-voting or invalid vote, a draw of lots will be held. There will be three different rounds of voting for three positions HOW THEY STACK UP BJP AAP Congress SAD 15* 14 6 (to abstain) 1 (Unlikely to vote) (*INCLUDING EX OFFICIO MEMBER i.e. MP) CANDIDATES IN THE FRAY Post Mayor Sr Dy Mayor Dy Mayor BJP Anup Gupta Kanwarjeet Singh Rana Harjeet Singh BJP’s councillor Saurabh Joshi, who did not go out of station with other councillors, posted on Facebook he was down with fever and would not take calls. “He will vote,” said Sood, clearing speculation about him not voting. Meanwhile, AAP leaders, who had been claiming they would win the elections and were expecting BJP and Congress councillors to vote for them for “development”, were silent today. AAP’s UT chief Prem Garg and co-incharge Pardeep Chhabra did not take calls AAP Jasbir Singh Laddi Taruna Mehta Suman Sharma for comment. Last year, BJP’s Sarbjit Kaur had beaten AAP’s Anju Katyal after one vote was declared invalid. The AAP had then created a ruckus inside the House, alleging fraud. The BJP along with MP’s vote and AAP had 14 votes each in the House. The BJP’s one vote increased in the middle of last year after Congress councillor Gurcharanjit Singh joined the ruling party. BJP’s Dalip Sharma was elected Senior Deputy Mayor, Continued on page 2