UGC urged to declare NET exam results
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18
The Panjab University Research Scholars Association in a representation to the visiting team of the University Grants Commission today demanded that results of the NET examination conducted in July 2002 be declared before the conduct of the same examination again this year.

According to a press note, “It is unfortunate that the candidates, who have appeared in the previous examination, will also have to apply afresh, which will cost them Rs 450 in absence of the earlier result”.

“Earlier, the prescribed NET application forms were easily available. As per the new guidelines, the UGC had opened only four distribution and receiving centres which had made the procedure complex”, the note said.

The association asked the UGC to first declare the examination results of the earlier NET; refund the total money of the successful candidates who applied again; re-implement the old process of distribution of forms; and withdraw a new condition of “intelligent character recognition”.

It pointed out that PU claimed to have not received the communication with regard to enhancement of scholarship rates for research scholars. It said PU needed to maintain research standards in the wake of the exemption of the NET qualification for the PhDs (before December 31, 2002) who wished to be teachers.

School board assn poll postponed
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, October 18
The much-awaited elections to the Punjab State Education Board Non-Teaching Employees Association due to be held on October 24 have been stayed by the Labour Inspector till further orders.

Today was the last date of filing nominations for the 24-member body from amongst approximately 2,000 employees of the education board from all over the state.

The elections have been stayed following a complaint lodged by the opposition group with the Labour Commission regarding an amendment in the constitution carried out by the group currently in power during its tenure.

According to sources although the amendment had been carried out by the General Body with signatures of more than 700 employees approving the amendment, the particular change had not been carried out by the regulatory body. Members of the ruling group however state that the amendment had been sent for whetting, and was yet to be received.

The particular amendment brought about in the constitution allowed permanent employees of the school board in its regional offices to cast their vote for elections to the 24-member representative body, a privilege which was not allowed earlier. “Earlier, the regional office employees would simply select two members to represent them here,” said Mr Harbans Singh Bagri, former president of the association.

Those in the fray are nominees of the current group in power along with nominees of the two main opposing groups. The entry of a new group has made the elections a four-pronged affair.

Those in the fray are likely to include Mr Gurdip Singh Dhillon, Bhagwant Singh Bedi, Harbans Singh Dholewal and Karnal Singh Kler.

NCC training camp for girls 
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh October 18
As many as 310 cadets, from schools and colleges with NCC coverage, are undergoing training in drill, home nursing, first aid, map reading, trekking and map reading at a 12-day annual training camp of the 01 Chandigarh Girls Bn Ncc at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sector 25.

According to Lieut-Col Dalbir Singh, Camp Commandant, the cadets are also being trained in disaster management schemes to handle eventualities arising out of natural calamities or accidents.

In addition, a number of competitions are also being organised to develop competitive spirit and leadership qualities in the cadets. A capsule on personality development and lectures by eminent speakers from reputed institutions were also planned, he said.

Col Ashwini Kumar, Group Commander, NCC Group Headquarters also visited the camp and witnessed the training programme.

The camp would conclude on October 24 and would be followed by a cultural programme and prize distribution function, Lieut-Col Dalbir Singh added. 

COURTS

SDO penalised for erroneous bill
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 18
Finding deficiency in the services of the UT Electricity Department, the Consumer Court has directed the SDO(Electricity) Operational Sub-Division, Sector 35 B, to pay a compensation of Rs 1,000 to a resident of Sector 35, Capt M.S Lamba (retd.) for causing mental and physical harassment to him. The consumer court further directed the SDO (Electricity) to pay Rs 500 as expenses of litigation to the complainant.

Meanwhile, consumer court held that the SDO, (Electricity), Operational Sub-Division, Sector 35-B would be at liberty to overhaul the bill of the complainant for the period from October 28, 1996 to July 8, 1997 strictly in terms of the instruction of the sales manual and after giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the complainant.

The complainant, Capt Lamba, had stated in the complainant that he had paid all electricity bills till January 2000 and after that he had not received any other bill. However, his electricity connection was disconnected all of a sudden on June 3, 2000. Then he made a representation to the SDO (Electricity). It is alleged that in duplicate bill of June 7, 2000, the amount of Rs 4,895 had been unauthorisedly added to his bill on account of arrears/ sundry charges.

Giving details about the case, the complainant added that on further enquiry by him, the electricity department told him that the amount of Rs 4895 included Rs 3899 pertaining to the overhauling of the bill from October 1996 to February 1998 and the duplicate bill of June 7, 2000 also included an amount of Rs 999 pertaining to the period December 1999 and February 2000.

Claiming that he had been harassed by the Electricity Department, the complainant added that even if the meter had been found to be defective, the bill cannot be overhauled for a period of more than six months prior to the date of the meter becoming defective. Thus the addition of Rs 3,899 as arrears of electricity bills/sundry charges for the period from October 1996 and February 1998 in the bill of May 25, 2000 was arbitrary, unjust and opposed to the settled law. The complainant alleged that the amount of Rs 3899 had been imposed on him without even issuing a show cause notice to him. So it was illegal and liable to be set aside.

The Consumer Court said in its order that” the SDO(Electricity ) Operation Sub-Division, Sector 35 has violated the conditions of instruction while raising the disputed demand of Rs 3,808 against the complainant. It has also not observed the rules of natural justice. The court held that these acts of omission of the SDO (Electricity ) Operation Sub-Division, Sector 35 amount to deficiency in service. so the complaint was partly allowed”.

CULTURE

Sawan Kumar casts Mumbai faces in his film
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18
Film director Sawan Kumar’s year-long search for fresh faces for his latest film “Dil Pardesi Ho Gaya” has ended with two young actors from Mumbai — Saloni Aswani and Kapil Jhaveri.

With no acting experience worth the name, the two newcomers, however, seem to have impressed Sawan Kumar a great deal as was clear by the way he introduced them to media here last afternoon, “They are born actors. Not even once did I feel that they were not trained in acting. They picked up scenes just as professional actors do.”

While Saloni is playing the role of a Pakistani brigadier’s daughter in the film, Kapil, a former small-time model, will be acting as Ashutosh Rana’s nephew. The latter is playing the role of an Indian Army officer in the film slated to be released next year in April.

Written, produced and directed by Sawan Kumar, the film draws from the routine theme of a love story; the only difference being love develops across borders, then braves rough weathers to finally realise itself. Musical scores are by Usha Khanna and the photography is by Harmeet Singh. Lyrics are by Sawan Kumar.

It may be recalled that earlier Sawan Kumar and Harry Baweja had come to city to look for talent for their respective films. Harry had come looking for talent for his film “Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai”.

Meanwhile, the selection of actors from Mumbai has upset local actors. One of them opined: “If film directors really want to cast fresh talented people, they should go about searching for talent in a thoroughly professional manner so that the youngsters get a fair chance in Bollywood.” 

Film society declared best in North
Tribune News Services

Chandigarh, October 18
The Federation of Film Societies of India (FFFI) has adjudged the Chandigarh Film Society as the best film society in Northern India for the year 2001-2002.

The Pritiman Sarkar Memorial Award, which goes to the film society that has an outstanding contribution in the promotion of both national and international films was awarded earlier this month to the Chandigarh Film Society (CFS). The award was presented to CFS, secretary, Tapesh Sharma, for creating awareness and appreciation of film art in the city. The award was presented by veteran filmmaker K. Vishwanath at a function held in Delhi. The function coincided with October 5 (first Indian film society was set up on this day).

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Mr Sharma, said, “Since the national film festival was organised after a gap of three years, two other societies were also presented the awards along with us.” The Chandigarh Film Society bagged the award for having organised six prestigious film festivals during the past year. Apart from bringing a Japanese festival to the city for the first time, the CFS also hosted two German film festivals, an Israeli and an Iranian film festival in Chandigarh.

Bharati Shivaji to perform today
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18
The UT Administration is hosting mohiniattam recital by danseuse Bharati Shivaji and her disciples under the Jhankar series of classical dance concerts at the Shanti Kunj in Sector 16 tomorrow.

Being resumed after a gap of about five months, the concert will be held at 6 pm and will be attended by the UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd).

Featuring in the concert will be Bharati Shivaji along with her daughter and disciple Vijaylakshmi. There will be seven other disciples also. The dance concert will also feature kalaripayattu along with mohiniattam, which literally means dance of the enchantress. Entry to the show is free for all.