AUP Staff in Eid Limbo: Salary, Pension Delays Raise Alarm

APP

Peshawar: The employees of Agriculture University Peshawar (AUP), comprising teaching faculty and administrative staff, have faced the distressing situation of not receiving their salaries and pensions for the past two months.

The impending delay in salary payments before Eid-ul-Fitr has exacerbated the difficulties for these already suffering employees.

They have urged the Governor and Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to address the issue urgently and ensure the prompt payment of their outstanding salaries before Eid-ul-Fitr.

This situation at the key agricultural university underscores a critical test, revealing the level of commitment of those in power towards the development of the agriculture sector, which forms the backbone of the country’s economy.

Ehsan Ullah, the President of the Officers Association of the university, highlighted the struggles of hundreds of employees as Eid-ul-Fitr approaches.

He emphasized that the failure to receive salaries not only deprives them of participating in celebrations but also undermines their dignity and respect for their dedicated service to the university.

Despite assurances from relevant authorities, the salaries for February remain unpaid, and with only a few days left in March, the situation persists.

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Timely payment of salaries is not just a matter of basic rights but also a testament to the value placed on the employees’ contributions to the university.

Given the significance of the agricultural sector to the country’s economy, the stability of institutions like Agriculture University Peshawar is crucial for continued growth and prosperity. As Eid approaches, there is a collective hope that the authorities will provide the necessary relief to the university and its workforce.

Expressing his frustration, he issued a stern warning of potential protests and demonstrations if their demands were not promptly met.

Amidst the crisis, he acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Vice Chancellor of The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, who has been diligently working to secure funds, navigating bureaucratic hurdles, and exhausting all available avenues to stabilize the institution.

However, he lamented that the encountered roadblocks have left the university in a state of uncertainty, with its financial well-being hanging in the balance.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC), responsible for fund allocation, has been accused of employing delaying tactics, citing constitutional provisions like the 18th Amendment, thus exacerbating the bureaucratic impasse and worsening the financial woes of the university staff.

The university finds itself grappling with a severe financial crisis, facing a total shortfall of Rs 400 million for the final quarters.

This situation is especially dire given the university’s pivotal role in fortifying the country’s agricultural sector.

University officials have revealed that Rs 150 million is needed monthly for salaries, with an additional Rs 50 million earmarked for pension disbursements. Despite these urgent needs, the HEC has failed to release a promised grant of Rs 320 million, further worsening the university’s financial strain.

While the university generates about 50 percent of its expenditure through its own revenues, recent financial pressures have pushed it to the brink. Although the provincial government has allocated Rs 7.5 crore for the university, it is deemed insufficient to address the grave financial situation.

He emphasized the high expectations of employees from the government to swiftly resolve the issue, ensure the release of pending salaries, and enable them to celebrate Eid without financial burdens.