Gujrat varsity VC claimed TA, DA ‘against rules’

LAHORE

Despite clear directions regarding no financial liability on part of the Punjab government or the university, the Vice Chancellor of University of Gujrat claimed travel allowance and daily allowance for his visit to Norway in 2015, it is learnt. 

Documents available with The News also reveal that the UOG Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zia-ul-Qayyum claimed the TA/DA for the visit despite the fact that at the time of obtaining NOC from the Higher Education Department for ex-Pakistan leave, the UOG Registrar had claimed that all expenses of the visit would be borne by the expatriate community of Norway.

The Pakistan Union of Norway had invited the UOG VC to meet the expatriate community and celebrate Independence Day of Pakistan at the event at Oslo, Norway scheduled for August 22, 2015.

The Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab issued a notification No: SO (Univ.)16-1/04-P dated 15.08.2015 stating that “The Governor/Chancellor has been pleased to grant NOC/ leave ex-Pakistan to Prof Dr Zia-ul-Qayyum, Vice Chancellor, University of Gujrat to visit Norway w.e.f. 17.08.2015 to 21.08.2015 with the permission to leave station on 15.08.2015 subject to leave title and no financial liability on the part of Provincial Government or the University of Gujrat.”

Sources in the university said the issue pertaining to TA/DA by the Vice Chancellor was also highlighted by the internal auditor but the same was swept under the carpet. The sources in the HED said no VC could claim TA/DA for his/her personal visit, adding the VC’s visit to Norway couldn’t be treated as official since neither any foreign university nor the government had invited the varsity’s top administrator.

When contacted Prof Dr Zia-ul-Qayyum confirmed that he had visited Norway on the invitation of Pakistan Union of Norway and claimed TA/DA since it was his right as per the government rules.

To explain further Prof Zia said the UOG’s syndicate (statutory body) had approved his visit to Norway during which he also worked for signing MoU with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. “We have recently submitted a project under this MoU with the Planning Commission of Pakistan”, he added.

The sources further said it was in this backdrop that the HED Punjab in April this year did not entertain Prof Zia’s request for NOC and leave (ex-Pakistan) for his visit South Africa and England. However, according to the notification, the request was not entertained in view of the ‘prevailing security alert’.

An HED Punjab official seeking anonymity questioned as to how syndicate could overrule the chancellor? The official added if the chancellor had made it clear that there was no financial liability on part of government or the university, the VC could never claim TA/DA even through the syndicate. HED Punjab Secretary Irfan Ali, when contacted, said he was unaware of the whole issue and added he would look into the same. He, however, said no government official could claim TA/DA for his/her personal visit abroad. 

Our Correspondent adds: A meeting of Punjab University Advanced Studies and Research Board (AS&RB) Tuesday approved 12 PhD synopses, 9 evaluation reports and 10 panels of examiners. The meeting chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran also approved 5 extension cases and 6 miscellaneous cases. Prof Dr Muhammad Fakhar-ul-Haq Noori, Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan, Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla, Prof Dr Mumtaz Akhtar, Prof Dr Muhammad Zakria Zakar, Prof Dr Ghulam Mooen-ud-Din Nizami, Prof Dr Shahid Kamal, Prof Dr Hassan Mobeen Alam, Prof Dr Javed Iqbal Qazi, Prof Dr Nasira Jabeen, Prof Dr Khalid Hussain, Dr Shazia Naureen Qureshi, Chairperson DPCC Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen, Controller of Examinations Prof Dr Shahid Munir, Registrar Prof Dr Liaqat Ali and Additional Registrar Dr Kamran Abid attended the meeting.

Donors: Punjab Labour and Human Resource Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar has said philanthropists and NGOs are rendering commendable services for treatment and rehabilitation of persons suffering from depression, tension, anxiety and other social problems. He said there is a need to benefit from books on therapy and alternate treatment for controlling depression and anxiety.

He expressed these views while addressing as chief guest the launching ceremony of the book ‘Healing Journey through Alternative Therapies for Stress, Anxiety and Depression’. Chairperson, Punjab Commission for Women, Fouzia Waqar, MPA Saira Iftikhar, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and other assembly members, NGOs, civil society besides a large number of philanthropists attended the ceremony. Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said a large number of people are suffering from stress, anxiety and depression due to different reasons and the book of Dr Alia Aftab will prove helpful for their guidance. He said philanthropists and other members of society will have to render services for destitute and poor segments by rising above political, personal and group interests.