Politicization of the PEC University of Technology began under the present Director.

First time ever local politicians (not holding any constitutional posts  like MP/MLA) were invited by the PEC authorities during an academic function.

Chandigarh BJP President and Area Councillor from Ward-12 were invited at the inauguration of the new academic block on May 20, 2016. See the highlighted text below:-

 His Excellency Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki, Hon’ble Governor, Punjab and Haryana and Hon’ble Administrator, UT, Chandigarh inaugurated PEC University of Technology’s newly built Academic Block at the university campus here today in the esteemed presence of Smt. Kirron Kher, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Chandigarh. Prof. Arun Gorver, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab University, Sh. Sarvjit Singh, IAS, Finance Secretary, UT Chandigarh, Sh. K K Jindal, IAS, Secretary, Technical Education, UT Chandigarh and Capt. Karnail Singh, PCS, Joint Secretary and Director Technical Education, UT Chandigarh, Area Councillor from Ward-12 Sh. Saurabh Joshi and Chandigarh State BJP President Sh. Sanjay Tandon were also present on the occasion.

For more on the subject, read Hon’ble Administrator Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki inaugurates PEC’s new academic block in presence of MP Smt. Kirron Kher

Why was the inauguration function planned at the last moment on 20 May 2016?

To save the skin of Prof. Manoj Kumar Arora  who had been appointed unlawfully as the Director PEC University of Technology without following the proper procedure. Following were the major flaws:-

·         Wide publicity for the post was not given through advertisement. It was all hush-hush affair.

·         Second interaction meeting was held on May 2, 2013, “by secretly calling some candidates”.
Prof. Pradeep Kumar Garg, a professor at Civil Engineering Department at IIT Roorkee who had applied for the same post too was not called. No reasons were given.

·         Prof Pradeep Kumar Garg was incidentally the teacher of the Dr. Manoj Arora during the latter’s 

      M.Tech.

Feeling aggrieved Prof P K Garg filed a the writ petition in Punjab & Haryana High Court. The court was to deliver the judgment on 20 May 2016. Prof Manoj Arora knew very well that he would lose the case. The only hope for him was to take the help of the local; politicians and the administrators.

As was expected, Prof Manoj Arora did lose the case on 20 May 2016. His unlawful appointment as the Director PEC University of Technology was set aside.
For more on the subject, read
Punjab and Haryana HC sets aside appointment of PEC director M K Arora  


Director after losing the case in the High Court should have stepped down. But Prof Manoj Arora played the cards well. With the support of the Chandigarh Administration and the backing of the BJP, he filed an appeal in the High Court. As was expected, the High Court ordered quashing his appointment on 31 May 2016. 

For more on the subject, read 
HC stays order quashing PEC Director’s appointment  

Now the case is pending and will take few years to be decided. By that time, Dr. Manoj Arora would have completed his tenure of 5 years. 
Very sad state of affairs at the PEC University of Technology!