Jalandhar, June 23
Following recommendations of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the Punjab government today issued a notification to the Punjab Technical University barring it from conducting admissions for two of its affiliated colleges— Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology at Dera Bassi and Shivalik College of Pharmacy at Nangal.

Dr V.K. Arora, Dean, Academics, confirmed this to The Tribune here today.

He said orders had also been passed for the slashing of seats in two pharmacy colleges— Baba Isher Singh Pharmacy College at Kot Ise Khan, Ferozepur, (from 60 to 40) and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Polytechnic and Pharmacy College at Patti (from 60 to 45).

The only college to get bonus seats is the Akal College of Pharmacy and Technical Education at Mastuana Sahib, Sangrur. The seats have been doubled to 60.

Dr Arora said the notification did not mention the grounds on which the orders had been passed, but he added that these were clearly issued to implement the AICTE recommendations.

An AICTE team had earlier visited the colleges concerned and shown its dissatisfaction over the qualification and experience of faculty there, PTU sources said.

Dr M.S. Grewal, Registrar of the university, confirmed that the AICTE’s disapproval had been endorsed by the state government too.

He, however, added that an AICTE committee had revisited the colleges, but their review had not yet reached the university.

One of the two debarred colleges has reportedly started taking in students provisionally to keep the seats safe.

But the Registrar feigned ignorance on the matter. He said the college concerned was not allowed to take any initiative of the sort.

Meanwhile, it was the third day of the counselling session for admissions to engineering, architecture and pharmacy colleges affiliated with the Punjab Technical University, Guru Nanak Dev University and Punjabi University here.

Nearly 450 seats out of the 700 falling in the 50 per cent Sikh minority quota in rural as well as urban areas were filled during the session. Candidates seeking Backward Class seats have been asked to appear tomorrow.

Elaborate arrangements to ensure comfort for the candidates and their parents were at the Government Polytechnic for Women, the venue for the counselling session. Besides providing tents, fans and coolers, the university has also tied up with a hotel to provide subsidised meals to the visitors through a canteen. 

Jalandhar, June 23
Directing different departments to set up flood control rooms in the wake of forthcoming rainy season, Mr Anurag Verma, the Deputy Commissioner, today asked the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to identify vulnerable villages so that preventive measures could be taken at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the state government has sanctioned an amount of Rs 58 lakh for flood protection works along the Sutlej. Works would be carried out in Jhandipir, Sholey Bazaar, Menonwal and Danewal villages.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, the main flood control room would be set up by the Drainage Department and it would monitor level of water at the Bhakra Dam and the quantum of discharge of water from the Ropar Headworks. This information would subsequently be passed on to the district flood control rooms set up in the office of the Deputy Commissioner and the SDMs.

Directing the SDMs to identify vulnerable villages, Mr Verma said a complete evacuation plan would be worked out. Some villages, schools or religious buildings located at high ground would also be identified so that evacuation centres could set up in emergency. The SDMs have been asked to liaise with religious organisations and NGOs for assistance in the wake of any eventuality.

“The Civil Surgeon has been asked to prepare a contingent plan to provide health services in these areas. Similarly, the Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry, has been asked to prepare a plan to provide veterinary services and fodder to animals in case of floods. Executive Engineer, Rural Water Supply, has also been sounded out so that arrangements for provision of drinking water in the hour of need could be made,” said Mr Verma.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner has been asked to organise training sessions for the staff in the office of the DC and in the sub-divisions. On the other hand, SDMs have been directed to personally check boats and to see if they were in proper working condition.

While the police authorities have been advised to set up wireless centres at all vulnerable points, representatives of the Army have been requested to maintain a close communication with the civil authorities in hour of need.

The local Municipal Corporation authorities have been directed to identify low-lying areas that may get water-logged after heavy rains. Special priority would be given to cleaning of drains in such areas. 

Phagwara, June 23
Residents of Phagwara are not only facing the heat waves but also unscheduled power cuts.

As many as six cuts were noticed yesterday that stretched till 11 in the night.

Electricity supply was first suspended from 6 am to 6.30 am. Thereafter, the cuts continued throughout the day, from a period of half an hour to four hours at a stretch.

Several residents said when they tried to send complaints to the office of the Punjab State Electricity Board, they found the telephone at the complaint centre either engaged or out of order.

A resident of Guru Hargobind Nagar, said, “Due to the power cuts, water is not available even on the ground floor sometimes”.

Executive Engineer, Phagwara, Mr Sanjeev Kumar, said as per his information there were technical faults at two power-generating units.

He, however, assured of a better power supply in a day or two. 

Phagwara, June 23
Unidentified miscreants damaged as many as six vehicles and ransacked two houses in Palahi and Nangal Majha villages of the Phagwara sub-division last night. The incidents left one person injured and five in police custody.

Jaswinder Singh from Nangal Majha village was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon. His car and a motorcycle were also damaged by assailants numbering over six in a clash that reportedly started from a “mela” at Ranipur village.

Some villagers claimed that one of the assailants had even fired in the air which Phagwara ASP Sukhchain Singh Gill denied.

Sadar police station SHO Lakhwinder Singh Mall said they had arrested five persons allegedly involved in the ruckus— Gabroo from Khurrampur, Jana from Nangal Majha, Smurfit from Bahraini, Johnny from Palahi and Jota from Nangal Majha villages— under Section 323,324,308,452,149 of the PICK. The police has also impounded the jeep the accused were using. The ASP claimed personal enmity was the reason behind the attack.

Meanwhile, a car (PB-36-7080) was stolen from India Nagar locality on Thursday night. Police said one Brig Bhutan Prabhakar, a Congress councilor, had parked his vehicle in front of his house and found it missing the next morning. A case has been registered at the City police station. 

Jalandhar, June 23
Another factory owned by industrialist Chital Vim caught fire at Focal Point here this evening.

Chital International manufactured fibers.

On June 12, Chital Fibers, a sister concern of Chital International, was also destroyed in a massive fire.

In the fresh fire incident, machinery and goods worth cores of rupees has reportedly been damaged and the building has developed cracks due to the high temperatures.

Over 20 fire brigades from Phagwara, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and fire-fighters from the Army and the Air Force, put out the fire at Chital International.

A visibly-shattered Mr Vim said he was not aware of the reason behind the fire and the quantum of monetary loss.