Panjab University offices and offices of chairpersons of the teaching departments will start functioning w.e.f. May 13

Chandigarh: A meeting  under the Chairmanship of Professor R.K. Singla, Dean of University Instruction, Panjab University, Chandigarh was conducted today  to discuss  various issues concerning reopening of the University after lockdown period in the wake of spread of COVID-19.  The others who attended the meeting included Prof V R Sinha, Dean Research, Prof Karamjeet Singh, Registrar, Dr Parvinder Singh, Controller of Examinations, Prof Sanjay Kaushik, Dean College Development Council, Mr Vikram Nayyar,Finance & Development Officer, Mr. Anil Thakur, Divisional Engineer Horticulture, Sh Deepak Kaushik, President, Panjab University Staff Association and Panjab University Non-Teaching Employees Federation, Dy Registrars of various branches.
 
The members paid condolence on the sudden demise of Professor Shankar ji Jha, Former D.U.I., a learned Sanskrit scholar and observed two minutes silence to pay homage to the departed soul.
 
Prof Karamjeet Singh, Registrar informed that the Panjab University offices and Offices of the Chairpersons of the Teaching departments will start functioning w.e.f. May 13, 2020, in pursuance of clarification received from Director Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration.
 
The following instructions shall be followed –
1. Office timings shall be from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm (with lunch break from 1.00 pm to 1.30 pm) on the pattern of Chandigarh Administration, till further orders.
2. Class Á’ officers shall report for duty in their respective offices/ departments/ centres, etc. on all  working days and the remaining office staff shall report on rotational basis, making upto to 33% of the staff Controlling Officer/Chairperson shall take decision regarding rotation of staff, seating arrangement, and distribution of work and time, in order to maintain social distancing and other precautions issued by Govt. Of India from time to time.  Controlling Officers/Chairpersons shall use their discretion to call their staff, within the office hours, to ensure social distancing.
3. Chairperson of the departments are advised to visit their respective departments, or depute a person to ensure that the office/department area is clean, with all safety measures in places.
4. Cleaners, Maalis, Maintenance and Security Staff, responsible for maintaining essential services, shall report for duty.  However, staff residing in areas designated as ‘Çontainment Zones’ by Chandigarh Administration shall be exempted.
5. Controlling Officer/Chairperson in each Office/department etc., shall regulate cleanliness, each member of the staff wearing of masks by sanitization and social distancing etc.
6. All staff members reporting on duty shall strictly observe/follow COVID-19 protocol and safety precautions issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI, from time to time, specially the following:
 
a. Frequent hand wash/sanitization and maintenance of proper hygiene;
b. Maintenance of Social distance etc;
c. Avoiding crowding of staff members;
d. Maintenance cleanliness and sanitization in the personal area, e.g. table, personal belongings etc.
 
7. Since no public dealing is allowed, Chief of University Security shall ensure that only PU staff members are allowed entry at all gates.”
 
Further guidelines & monitoring mechanism shall also be followed:
 
1. Office of the Vice-Chancellor& DUI, Administration Block, Aruna Ranjit Chandra Hall and USOL Building have been sanitised alongwith fogging of rooms of these buildings   by Horticulture Department
2. No public dealing shall be allowed. 
3. Wearing of masks shall be compulsory for all the staff members. 
4. Thermal scanning  (one counter at Admn Block, one counter each in Aruna Ranjit Chandra Hall, Vice-Chancellor’s office and USOL Building) near entrances shall be done under supervision of security staff. Hand sanitizer shall also be made available for staff members by the Security Staff near entrances of these office buildings. 
5. Employees are advised that there should be no rush and social distancing be maintained while entering the office. 
6. Maximum 33% staff shall be allowed in the office. Roster shall be prepared by the Heads of each Branch (D.R./A.R.). However, any staff member can be called by the authority, in case of emergency. 
7. Office timings shall be 10.30 a. m. to 4.30 p. m. with lunch break of half an hour to each employee on different time slots to be adjusted by each branch head in such a way that norms of social distancing be followed. 
8. Seating arrangements shall be made in each branch  (by concerned Superintendents) in such a way, so that proper social distancing be maintained. 
9. Sufficient Hand sanitizers be provided, regularly, by AR (R&S) to each branch. 
10. Care taker, with the help of sweepers, shall make sure that proper  arrangements of water and soap be made in each washroom/toilet and washrooms/toilets be cleaned at regular intervals at least four times a day. This shall also be monitored floor-wise by the following:
A. AR (R&S)  Ground Floor &Basement
B.  DR (Accounts) First floor
C. DR (Estate) Second floor
D. AR (Conduct) Third floor
E. DR (Exams) Fourth floor
F. DR (Secrecy) Aruna Ranjit Chandra Hall
G. AR (USOL) – USOL Building

The members appreciated the work done by the University Staff during the lockdown period, specifically by, Security Staff, Staff of Accounts Branch, Staff of Bhai Ghaniayia ji Health Centre, P.U., Staff of Horticulture Wing, P.U.
It was agreed that these instructions/guidelines/mechanism shall be reviewed from time to time.