category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh In a landmark decision, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday accorded approval for implementing the UGC scales for the teaching faculty of the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary Sciences University (GADVASU). A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister in a high level meeting held here today. Takin g part in deliberations, the Chief Minister said that implementation of UGC pay scales for the teaching faculty will incur an annual expenditure of Rs 66 crore whereas the same facility for teaching staff in GADVASU will bear expenses worth Rs 20 crore annually. However, he said that this amount is nothing before the immense contribution of the faculty of both the Universities in giving fillip to crop production and allied farming activities. Therefore, Bhagwant Mann said that the UGC scales will be provided to teaching staff of both these premier universities. The Chief Minister also gave approval for implementing the revised pay scales for the non teaching staff of both the universities. He said that the implementation of revised pay scales for non-teaching staff of PAU will bear expenditure worth Rs 53 crore whereas the implementation of revised pay scales for non-teaching staff for GADVASU will be done at a cost of Rs 10 crore annually. He said that the state government is committed to comprehensive reforms in both these universities to propel the research work for the well being of the farming community. The Chief Minister said that due to the lackluster attitude of previous governments, the farmers of the state are on cross roads. He said that in such scenario these universities can play a pivotal role in mitigating the woes of farmers through extensive research. Bhagwant Mann expressed hope that the teaching and non-teaching staff of both these universities will further make concerted efforts to transform the destiny of farmers on one hand and make Punjab a frontrunner state on the other. (editor dailyworld.in)