Documents destroyed in fire but transactional data retrievable: VC, PU

Chandigarh, May 14, 2017: Prof.Arun Kumar Grover, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, while addressing the media, informed about the fire incident which took place in the middle of the night intervening 13/14 May, 2017 on the first floor of the Dewan Anand Kumar Hall, the administrative building of the Panjab University. The Police and the Fire Brigade reached immediately with 8 Fire Tender vehicles and one Hydraulic Vehicle. The fire was under control in 2 hours. Simultaneously, The Registrar and Security Officer went inside to cordon off the area and used small 8-10 fire extinguishers and Fire Hydration System to control the fire from inside. There has been no loss of life.

The VC informed further that Enquiry Committee shall be constituted immediately to assess the probable cause of damage and the extent of damage. In this regard, Central Forensic Laboratory is already there.

It was informed that the affected areas of the Administrative Building include Salary Section, Examination and Payment section, Grants & Planning Section, Budget section (Partly). The documents have been destroyed but the transactional data is retrievable. All other sections of the building are safe. The Intimation regarding Insurance has been sent and Surveyor has visited already.

He further assured that all necessary steps for the preparedness of any such incident in future and complete security assessment of PU will be undertaken.