The order, circulated from the office of Dean, Post-graduate studies, a copy of which is with the LNL, says “An in-service candidate after getting registered for the doctorate programme at Punjab Agricultural University is required to devote his/her full time for pursuing his/her studies as contained in the semester rules. For all the academic and co-curricular activities, he/she is under the control of his /her major advisor and then the head of the department as well as under the control of Dean, Post graduate studies.”

This letter has been circulated to all university deans and heads of departments by the office of Dean, Post-graduate studies.

Citing university rules, the order further states that in case of anybody flouting these guidelines, the major advisor of the candidates has been made accountable. The letter reads, “The major advisor is required to ensure that his or her student devotes full time towards the study and involvement in any activity other than academic purposes should be brought to the notice of the concerned authorities immediately.”

Notable here is that the case of PAUTA general secretary Mukesh Siag, who has been spear-heading the teachers’ agitation on the campus, has been at the centre of the controversy surrounding the Ph.D candidates’ involvement in teachers’ politics.

Siag, a teacher at the College of Agricultural Engineering is currently on a study leave pursuing his doctorate. Siag, who is currently the face of PAUTA and through his pro-active style, has already brought the union on a collision course with the university authorities.

Referring to Siag, the vice-chancellor, Dr Manjit Singh Kang stated, “He is on study leave not on PAUTA leave.” The VC also informed that university may come up with a policy so that in-service PhD candidates are stopped from getting involved in union activities.

The order meanwhile clearly states that once a person joins a programme, he continues to be a student till he/she submits the thesis. “Obviously, a person cannot be a member of the working staff and be a student simultaneously,” the university letter makes it clear.