While issuing the notification for new pay-scales, Punjab left out many provisions like teaching days, workload, method of recruitment and composition of selection committees, among other things. The ministry, while writing to the Punjab government, stated that the Central share of the financial assistance will be released to the state only if the orders issued by Punjab are found to be in absolute conformity and concordance with the University Grants Commission stipulations.

The UGC had provided for a mandatory five-hour daily stay for all teaching staff in both universities and colleges, afactor which does not find mention in the Punjab notification. The provision of 16-hour actual weekly classroom teaching work for lecturers is also missing in the notification.

Also missing is talk of accountability and self-appraisal. The UGC had stated that self-appraisal was mandatory for the teaching staff, which should be implemented within one year of implementation of pay-scales. However, it had left the option of student evaluation of teachers as optional for post-graduate, professional and autonomous colleges.

Central assistance accounts for 80 per cent of the expenditure which would be incurred on account of introduction of the new scales, while the remaining 20 per cent is the responsibility of the state government.Earlier, the Union Ministry had written to the Punjab government regarding the financial liability of the Centre. It stated that payment of Central assistance was subject to the introduction of the entire scheme, with both the pay-scales and all conditions being implemented by thestate government. The conditions were to be laid down by the UGC.