Said Mukesh Siag, General Secretary, PAU Teachers Association, “Dr P R Gajri, Professor of Soils, who retired in 2004, died on February 15 this year. He was a highly decorated scientist and winner of the coveted Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award. He was worried about his pension till the end. Unable to speak, he wrote on a piece of paper ‘what about pension’.

“Another employee, a fitter in the Department of Civil Engineering, who had threatened to immolate himself during a rally on February 11, died on Monday. Dr S S Sodhi, Additional Director, Veterinary Research, Amar Singh Chowkidar and Balbir Singh Beldar have expired in the last month or so”.

PAU pensioners and employees have decided to hold a massive protest at the Kissan Mela at Rauni, Patiala, on Wednesday.

Cooperative Minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh will be the chief guest for the function.

Siag said the pensioners will wear black badges at the mela and also distribute pamphlets highlighting their plight. Meanwhile, the Ludhiana Nagar Sudhar Sabha has extended support to the agitating PAU pensioners.