There has been a change of guard at the top level in Punjab Agricultural University Teachers’ Association (PAUTA). Mukesh Siag, one of the most outspoken senior leaders of the association and also the general secretary has been has been relieved of his duties as the official spokesperson. He will be suceeded by Joint Secretary Dr G S Saroa.

Confirming the change, Siag said: “I am on the last leg of my doctorate and want to devote more time to my thesis. As the official spokesperson, one needs to be in constant touch with what is happening around. I will certainly be available for any kind duty that PAUTA entrusts me with.” Siag is a teacher in the College of Agricultural Engineering and is pursuing his doctorate in the university.

Of late, Siag had emerged as one of the most vociferous and aggressive PUATA leaders. He had single-handedly spearheaded a campaign against PAU authorities over the issue of

interviews for the post of head of departments and in the sexual harassment case.

He had spearheaded a teachers' campaign on the matters of “victimisation of teachers”, boycott of interviews for the

posts of heads of departments and demanding a re-inquiry into the sexual harassment case when the report had gone against Dr Dulcha Singh Brar.

With Siag relieving the charge, the issues too seem to have been put in a cold store. PAUTA President Dr M S Mahal said, “It is a routine task.” When asked as to what PAUTA was planning to do about the posters that they put up on PAU campus regarding the issue of interviews of heads, Mahal brusquely added: “No comments.”