In a reflection of the weak administrative set-up of the Panjab University, a meeting held to decide candidates for the post of ad hoc library assistants was suspended after the committee failed to reach a consensus.

The committee, which was appointed to hire 19 library assistants at a meeting held on Sunday, saw members leave mid-way without even completing the formalities as they could not reach a clear decision.

Sources said that after only three or four candiates cleared the interview, the committee members raised a demand stating that they should be appointed to the post. Nearly 196 people had applied for the post.

Talking to Newsline, a member of the committee said: “The criteria for holding the interview was mutually decided by all members. We had decided 85 marks for academics and 15 marks for the interview. When the ad hoc assistants could not clear this criteria, the committee members said the norms should be revised.”

Refuting all allegations, however, a member of the committee said there were no arguments, but could not give reason why the posts were not be filled.

Talking to Newsline, Dean Students Welfare Professor Naval Kishore, who is also a member of the committee, said: “There were no arguments, but there were some technical issues due of which, the interviews could not be completed.”

Dr V K Anand, PU librarian, said: “We all are academicians. It was after some decisions could not be reached upon mutually that the interview process could not be completed.”

Sources, meanwhile, maintain that a lot of arguments took place between the committee members, comprising the faculty and external members.