HYDERABAD, Oct 30: Six members of the Sindh Agriculture University syndicate have expressed reservations over an advertisement, inviting applications for 37 vacant posts in the university.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, former vice-chancellor Prof Dr Rajab A Memon, Prof Amir Ali Kadri, Prof Dr Umed A Buriro, Suresh Kumar Wadhwani, Riasat Ali Kubbar and Mujahid H Laghari alleged VC Bashmir Ahmed Chandio’s men would get preferential treatment during these recruitments.

They said the university, which was pulled out of chronic deficit by generating high internal incomes during 1997-98 and 1998-99, had once again plunged into a huge non-development budgetary deficits to the tune of Rs50 million by Mr Chandio.

They argued the agro-information technology centre for which 22 posts had been advertized, was already over-staffed because of several previous recruitments and contract appointments of lecturers and assistant professors, including the son of the vice chancellor.

They syndicate members said there was no justification to recruit new staff at this stage because it was likely to add to recurring deficits of the university.

They said at this stage the recruitment of a full-fledged project director was reported to be a reward for a particular junior person for some “invaluable” services rendered by him, during the last four years.

They pointed out since the tenure of the VC had technically ended on Oct 4, the hindsight indicated that favouritism and recommendations by influential, rather than merit and suitability, were likely to be the overriding considerations during these selections.

They demanded filling of posts by the new vice chancellor with a fresh vision for the university.