While the primary function of academicians appointed on the chairs is research, in their absence no research work is being carried out in the varsity.

Majority of the chairs are in the Faculty of Languages.

The Sheikh Baba Farid Chair, for instance, is vacant since 2003. Likewise, Bhai Veer Singh Chair is unoccupied since 2004 and Guru Nanak Sikh Studies Chair for almost a decade.

PU Fellow Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh, who had occupied the Sheikh Baba Farid Chair till 2003, says, “Appointments to these chairs need to be made soon. It's affecting research in the departments. The university authorities are working in this direction."

A chair that has been marred by controversies is the Rajiv Gandhi Chair. The chair was granted to the university in October 2005 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development along with nine other universities all over India. It was decided that the chair would get an annual grant of Rs 20 lakh for five years.

The Central Government had decided to honour the contributions of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by setting up chairs in ten universities. The varsity had also chosen the research theme - 'Impact of Technology on Society'.

The authorities had claimed that no suitable candidate could be found for the chair.

When finally the name of Dr Mohsin U Khan was recommended, a writ petition was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and stay granted on the appointment. The issue is now sub judice.

Officials claimed that many qualified people prefer private institutes owing to better pay packages.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Prof R C Sobti said search for suitable candidates is on.