In its meeting on January 10, the Panjab University syndicate had passed a resolution that the power to appoint selection committees, which was delegated to the V-C by the senate in October 1981, be restored to the syndicate. Though the proposal was accepted but not after a debate. The PU V-C Prof M.M. Puri along with four other syndics had recorded his dissent on the floor of the House which only added to the controversy that the proposal was embroiled in, sources add. A reservation expressed by Puri was whether the proposal was in order since it was neither a part of the agenda of the meeting nor taken up with the permission of the chair. Once again, sources point out, the issue will lead to a debate in the House.

The senate will also consider adoption of the UGC letter of December 24 "in toto" which includes "changing the conditions of service of teachers by amending the rules and regulations of the university so that the age of retirement becomes 62." A resolution proposed by fellow Joginder Singh that election of teachers from affiliated colleges to various boards of studies be done through a simple majority will also come up before the senate. In the prevalent system, teachers are elected to the boards through a single transferable vote. The resolution was rejected by the PU syndicate in its meeting on February 19.

Revised estimates for the year 1998-99 which were approved by the syndicate at Rs 72.46 crore and budget estimates for 1999-2000 approved at Rs 73.17 crore will be discussed. Besides, decisions taken by the syndicate in its last meeting (on March 17) including appointment of university deans, confirmation of appointments of 39 employees including Controller of Examinations and recommendations of the fee revision committee will also come up.