Prime Minister is our guest, won’t be raising any demands: PAU V-C

With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set to visit the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) on Saturday, the premier university's Vice-Chancellor B S Dhillon on Friday stated that the institution's authorities won't seek anything special from their 'privileged guest'.

"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is our esteemed guest and is a learned man. So he knows much more than me. He is our guest, so I will not be raising any demands before him. He is well aware of the problems of the university," Dhillon told Newsline on Friday.

While admitting that the university was faced with major fund crunch, Dhillon added: " Problems with funds is present in almost all the universities across the country. PAU is not the only case."

The Prime Minister will spend an hour and 20 minutes at PAU, which is holding its golden jubilee celebrations. He will award Ph Ds to students and other medal winners.

Dhillon though will not be demanding anything from the PM, but he stated: "My address will no doubt highlight the achievements of the university in the past 50 years and also the needs ahead. So I am sure the message will be clear."

Meanwhile, the PAU employees union, that has been on a dharna since the start of the celebrations regarding pending arrears amounting to more than Rs 20 crore, is still protesting.

Though state Finance Minister Parminder Dhindsa had promised to release few crores as first instalment, but the employees have not entertained this promise and they are still on dharna.

While the University is celebrating its golden jubilee by inviting dignitaries, the employees on the other hand, will be sitting on dharna even on Saturday, the day of the Prime Minister's visit.

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