Dr Singh, who was also holding the post of PAU Director (Farms), retired on January 31.

He was, however, asked to rejoin the university today morning after the university granted him re-employment at the level of Dean Director, a decision which has no precedent in the history of the university.

President of PAU non-teaching employees union, Harbans Singh Mundi, remarked, “This issue should have been raised by the teachers’ association.

On our part, we are not against anyone personally but granting extensions at any level-non-teaching or teaching-should not be encouraged. This sets a wrong example.”

Meanwhile, PAUTA remains silent on the issue. PAUTA general secretary Mukesh Siag refused to comment on the issue while Dr G S Saroa, the association spokesperson, was not available for comment. 

A faculty member of PAU, on condition of anonymity, said, “Re-employment should be given only if we do not have competent people for replacements. At PAU, there is no dearth of such people. Such decisions create a lot of resentment among the faculty. Moreover, an estate officer, as per PAU rules, should be an engineer while Dr Gurkirpal is an agronomist.”

According to sources, Dr Singh was brought in as an estate officer after his predecessor failed to keep the campus “clean”.