Amritsar, January 2
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore, has again accredited Guru Nanak Dev University with the highest ‘A’ Grade on the basis of its excellent five-year track record in teaching and research, work culture and sports activities.

The council said the university had made a significant improvement in its performance since its accreditation in 2000. Its report says the department of sports medicine and human genetics and the centre for genetic disorders have established international recognition.

With this, the university has become the first one in the country to get accreditation again under the new rigorous and stringent guidelines of the council.

Vice-chancellor Jai Rup Singh said the NAAC Peer Team had observed that the university, located in a sensitive border region, had made commendable contribution to the progression of higher education. He said the council had also appreciated the university for its excellent ambience in teaching, research and extension activities and had recommended that it might move to become a university with the potential for excellence. The university may also take initiative to establish a national institute of sports and an institute of engineering and technology, he added.

The team has recommended that the university may introduce courses like industrial engineering and automobile engineering, aeronautical and biomedical engineering. It may also explore the possibility of regrouping the departments into cohesive inter-related schools of studies and research. It would facilitate and encourage inter-disciplinary programmes of teaching and research.

Significantly, the council has highly appreciated the extensive studies on Guru Nanak Dev and Sikh religion, the vice-chancellor said, adding that the team, in its report, had mentioned that the university was laying due thrust on the emerging areas in science and technology. It had introduced many new programmes in such areas. The curricula had been so designed that it had regional and national developmental needs.

At present there are 52 ongoing research projects at a cost of Rs 6.35 crore, funded by the UGC, CSIR, DST, DBT, ICMR and the ICSSR. 

Punjab CM launches Edusat 
Our Correspondent

Mohali, January 2
Opening a golden chapter in the field of education, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today launched a Rs 12 crore educational satellite network (Edusat) from the Punjab School Education Board headquarters here today.

Badal said it was a matter of great pride, as Punjab had become the first state in the country to start education through satellite interactive terminals (SITs) installed under the first phase to cater facility of two way audio-video interaction with 300 institutions governed by the departments of school education, higher education, technical education, medical education and research across the state, which had been connected on line with coexisting classroom at the Edusat Hub.

Taking part in the deliberations with officers in the newly launched Edusat Hub, the Chief Minister pointed out that this unique ultra modern project would prove to be a milestone in the advanced education on one hand and enable the students to interact with the best teachers to meet their educational requirements and fulfil the state government’s commitment to provide quality education to them within their means on the other.

Interacting with the students and teachers of the District in Service Elementary Training (DIET) centres of Bathinda, Muktsar, Block Primary Education Office, Lambi and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Ramgarh, Ludhiana, through satellite, Badal emphasised the need to revolutionise the educational scenario in the state. He said conventional education would not help the youth alone in securing better job prospects because vocational education was the need of the hour.

He informed that the state government had embarked upon an ambitious programme to open skill development centres throughout the state to impart technical training to them to improve their chances of employability.

The Chief Minister assured that the state government would extend full support and cooperation for the Edusat programme in the state and its future expansion in coalition with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

It may be recalled that the Edusat programme was supported by the ISRO through a nodal agency - Punjab Edusat Society for execution of Edusat utilisation programme in Punjab.  

Chandigarh, January 2
Failure of seasonal rains and reduced generation from both hydro and thermal plants in the region has put the entire North India in the grip of an acute power shortage. 

The ever-rising demand from all sectors, including industry, agriculture and domestic consumers, and reduced generation has widened the gap between demand and supply.

Decreased generation has been responsible for low grid frequency, which causes unscheduled power cuts both in rural and urban feeders. In Punjab, the duration of daily power cuts varies between 6 and 10 hours in urban and rural areas, while in Haryana it is a little worse in some pockets, but is overall at par with its affluent neighbour.

Punjab on an average buys power worth Rs 4,500 crore annually from earmarked sources at competitive open market rates. The power purchase agreements are normally signed to overcome power shortage crisis at the peak of farm operations, especially sowing of paddy and wheat. This is the time when wheat crop, in case of failure of winter rains, needs its first irrigation.

Of late, Haryana has also been making all possible efforts to procure maximum power from all available sources even at higher rates to meet the present demand. These included liquid fuel power in the range of 100 MW to 150 MW from various gas based power-generating stations located in the northern region as well as the western region.

On an average, 623 lakh units of power was supplied every day to consumers in Haryana last month compared to 611 lakh units daily supplied during corresponding month of last year. The state has experienced about 20 per cent increase in demand of power compared to the corresponding period of last year.

The increased availability and consumption, however, have not reduced hours of power cuts in the state.

All generating units in Haryana produced 273 lakh units of electricity every day during December by returning a Plant Load Factor (PLF) of about 78 per cent. One unit of 110 MW of Thermal Plant at Panipat has been taken for renovation, modernisation and up rating.

Though all three units of the National Thermal Power Corporation Project, Ballabgarh, had been functional, but due to the less availability of gas and liquid fuel, they are producing about 64 lakh units a day against the normal generation of 95-100 lakh units daily.

These drops in generation coupled with increased demand have been the reasons for nagging power cuts, both in urban and rural areas. 

POLITICS

Sukhbir as next Chief Minister  
Decision to be taken by legislature party: Badal 
Our Correspondent

Mohali , January 2
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today claimed that any decision to make the acting president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal, the next Chief Minister of the state would be taken by the legislature party and not him. 

The Chief Minister, who was talking to mediapersons after launching a Rs 12-crore EDUSAT project from its state hub at the Punjab School Education Board here, said that he was made the Chief Minister by the legislature party. Similarly, any decision on the next Chief Minister of the state would solely be taken by the legislature party and he would not have any role in that decision.

When asked about compensation for the land being acquired for the international airport being set up in Mohali, Badal said it was an ambitious project which would change the face of Punjab in the next five years as planned growth would start. He said nobody would be displaced while acquiring land for the airport. Farmers would be given a price higher than the prevalent market rate for their land which would be acquired. He urged the people to cooperate with the government in larger interest of the public.

Talking about corruption cases going on against certain Congress leaders, he said that his government had not adopted any vindictive approach. Law was taking its own course and only guilty would be punished. He condemned the statement of Rajinder Kaur Bhattal , leader of the opposition party, alleging that SAD was being vindictive against certain Congress leaders. Virtual chaos ruled the scene when the Chief Minister came to the education board office for launching the EDUSAT project. Mediapersons were not allowed to reach the venue where the formal launching was to be done. It was only after the DPRO Uma Sharma intervened that the police allowed them to enter. There was no arrangement for a press conference. Mediapersons had to stand and wait outside various doors to have a word with the Chief Minister.The long wait was accompanied by lots of pushing and jostling.

Even certain roads leading to the education board were closed to traffic when the Chief Minister was to arrive. Mediapersons, who had to park their vehicles away from the board office, walked quite a bit to cover the function. Certain journalists were frisked and asked to produce identity cards or invitation cards.

Reacting to the tight security arrangements, Badal said that he wanted to send a strong message to all district heads that public should not be made to go through inconvenience while making security arrangements for him. He did not want public being harassed during his visits . 

Talking about corruption cases going on against certain Congress leaders, he said that his government had not adopted any vindictive approach. Law was taking its own course and only guilty would be punished. He condemned the statement of Rajinder Kaur Bhattal , leader of the opposition party, alleging that SAD was being vindictive against certain Congress leaders. Virtual chaos ruled the scene when the Chief Minister came to the education board office for launching the EDUSAT project. Mediapersons were not allowed to reach the venue where the formal launching was to be done. It was only after the DPRO Uma Sharma intervened that the police allowed them to enter. There was no arrangement for a press conference. Mediapersons had to stand and wait outside various doors to have a word with the Chief Minister.The long wait was accompanied by lots of pushing and jostling.

Even certain roads leading to the education board were closed to traffic when the Chief Minister was to arrive. Mediapersons, who had to park their vehicles away from the board office, walked quite a bit to cover the function. Certain journalists were frisked and asked to produce identity cards or invitation cards.

Reacting to the tight security arrangements, Badal said that he wanted to send a strong message to all district heads that public should not be made to go through inconvenience while making security arrangements for him. He did not want public being harassed during his visits .  

Seminars During Vacations
Report sought on non-participation of teachers 
Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service

Ropar, January 2
The higher authorities of the Department of Education have sought reports from respective district education officers on the non-participation of teachers in the seminars meant for the augmentation of their skills in winter vacations.

Teachers across the state boycotted seminars. They held dharnas and flayed the government for its alleged privatisation policies in the field of education. They had also protested against the holding of seminars in winter vacations.

Despite assurance from the director-general, Education, Krishan Kumar that in future, seminars would not be held in vacations, teachers continued their agitation and boycotted the training programme scheduled for the winter vacation.

However, senior officials said teachers were taking winter and summer vacations for 
guaranteed The vacations are meant for students and not teachers. During the session, the teachers have to carry on the teaching job. 

Amritsar, January 2
Controversy over election of three members to the Guru Nanak Dev University’s syndicate refuses to die down with third-time senator M.M. Cheema, who is also a member of the finance committee, coming to the rescue of vice-chancellor Jai Rup Singh.

Talking to The Tribune, Cheema said: “Threat to the vice-chancellor’s position by certain syndics is unwarranted.” “The ball is in the Governor’s court and he will take a final decision on the issue.”

He said university circles were abuzz with talk that the government was trying to send three more members to the syndicate even after nominating three directly from its own quota.

“It was Akali MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha, who at the last senate meeting made a case for authorising the vice-chancellor on whether the three syndicate members from the senate are to be elected, as provided in the university calendar, or an exception to the rule is to be taken by passing an ordinance as assembly is not in session,” alleged Cheema.

He said the suggestion of Valtoha, endorsed by newly nominated members of the senate, that the three members be decided by the vice-chancellor in consultation with the secretary (education) and the DPI invited sharp reactions.  

Malerkotla, January 2
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today confirmed the acceptance of resignation of chairperson of the Punjab Wakf Board Razia Sultana, Congress MLA from Malerkotla. 

This brought to an end the controversy related to the reported resignation by Razia Sultana from the post.

Earlier yesterday, Shahi Imam Habib-ur-Rehman of Jama Masjid, Ludhiana, had termed the reported resignation of Razia Sultana from the post of chairperson of the Punjab Wakf Board as farce at a press conference here. Imam had also claimed that neither the chief secretary nor the home secretary had received resignation of Razia so far.

In reply to a question here today, the Chief Minister said the state government was taking a legal opinion for setting up the Wakf Board, as the resignation of its chairperson had been accepted by the government. He further said that after receiving the legal opinion, the Wakf Board would be set up.

Badal was here to take part in a private function. Regarding power cuts in Punjab, Badal held the Congress responsible for it by saying that the Congress had not generated even a single unit during 10 years of its two terms. He said the power demand in the state was 6,000 mw now, while in peak season it was 9,000 mw. Besides, due to less rains, the water reservoirs had also been facing water shortage.

He said the Punjab Police Act had been sent to Punjab Governor for his assent. After receiving assent of the Governor, the state government would implement it in the state. He said Minority Commission was also being set up in the state.  

Ludhiana, January 2
The alleged group of terrorists who scripted and executed the Shingaar cinema blast had kept the tickets of the October 14 show of the Bhojpuri movie "Janam Janam Ka Sath" as souvenir.

This surprising revelation came when the police told a local court that cinema tickets had been recovered from one of the arrested accused Ravinder Singh, alias Rinku.

As per the police claims, Rinku, along with absconding accused Harminder Singh, had bought the tickets and planned the blast Interestingly, Rinku kept the ticket with him all these months. Police sources said he kept it as a reminder of the "great event" he triggered.

Rinku, along with alleged terror mastermind Gurpreet Singh and accomplices Palwinder Singh, alias Pappu, and Sandeep Singh have been remanded to police custody till January 5. 

Amritsar, January 2
To educate people on traffic rules the police launched a week-long traffic awareness campaign from January 1.

Addressing the gathering, deputy commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu said after two- decade-long terrorism it was “road terrorism” which was taking the lives of people. He said the government had to spend a lot of money for paying ex gratia to families of accident victims. He said there was need to educate public about traffic. He said if the public followed the traffic norms, there would be considerable decrease in the number of accidents and the money thus saved could be used for the welfare of people.

Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, SSP, said during the week police officials would create awaressness among the youth at the main chowks of the city. He said challans did not mean punishment and moreover they were not using it as a measure to generate revenue. Wearing helmet would only save the driver of the vehicle and not the police, he added.

The SSP said during the week only warnings would be issued to violators and their signatures taken to keep an official record. He said the police was getting the cooperation from the Municipal Corporation. 

Chandigarh, January 2
All Punjab government offices, boards, corporations and educational institutes will remain closed for the second half in Chandigarh and Mohali on January 3 to enable the employees to take part in Nagar Kirtan procession, regarding Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh.

All offices of Punjab government, boards, corporations and education institutions will remain closed on January 4 for second half in the remaining districts of the state.

Punjab co-operation, defence services welfare, grievances and pensions minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh today released the calendar of Markfed for year 2008. It carries a photograph of Takht Sachkhand Hazoor Sahib coinciding with the celebration of 300th year of Gurtagaddi Divas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. Besides the photograph of Takht Sahib, different leaves of calendar have photographs of different crops . 

COURTS

Lecturers’ Appointment
HC sets aside Punjabi varsity order 
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 2
Directing the setting aside of orders issued by Punjabi University regularising the services of human biology lecturers Dr Promila Malhotra and Dr Satbir Kaur, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that the “character of their appointment” cannot be changed, except by inviting applications from other candidates.

Pronouncing the orders on a petition filed by Dr Shobha Rani Dhiman against the two lecturers and others, Justice S.D. Anand held: “The grant of regular appointment to the respondents by the syndicate was inappropriate and unjustified in view of the fact that both of them had been appointed against a leave vacancy and the character of their appointment could not be changed except by resorting to the procedure of inviting applications from the candidates as well”.

In her petition, Dhiman had earlier contended that Punjabi University, by refusing to regularize her services, and by regularising the services of the respondents, had acted arbitrarily.

Going into the background of the matter, Dhiman had contended that she was appointed a lecturer in human biology with effect from September 1, 1988, initially for three months on adhoc basis. The period of appointment was extended from time to time till May 31, 1990. Further extension, though recommended by the head of the department, was denied.

Malhotra, earlier appointed lecturer on adhoc basis, was after a court case appointed on regular basis. The other respondent Satbir Kaur, appointed lecturer against a leave vacancy, too was regularised after her representation for appointment on regular basis found favour with the syndicate.

After hearing the arguments and going through the documents, Justice Anand ruled: “The syndicate had taken a decision that when a leave vacancy becomes available on regular basis, it should be readvertised to enable more meritorious candidates to apply for appointment. The petitioner cannot raise a valid plea for regularisation of her services on the basis of the policy decision taken by the syndicate.”

The Judge also ruled: “While considering the name of Dr Malhotra for appointment, the competent authority could not have given a complete go-bye to the principles of natural justice and fair play which incidentally were validated by the syndicate by deciding that a leave vacancy, which becomes available on regular basis, should be re-advertised, and thereafter filled up so as to enable more meritorious candidates to apply for the same.

Where, then, was the question of any compulsion on the part of the respondent-university to issue appointment letter to her in compliance with the orders of this court?

Examined, thus, from any angle, the regularisation of services of the respondent to the post of lecturer cannot be justified”.

The Judge concluded: “The pain in the judicial mind becomes all the more agonising when it is noticed that the violator is none else or other than an establishment running the affairs of the temple of learning. It is apparent that though the declining of regularisation to the petitioner was in accord with the policy laid down by the syndicate, the grant of that benefit of regularisation to the respondents was indefensible.”  

CRIME

355 gm RDX seized, one arrested
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 2
The police here today claimed arresting an alleged terrorist with 355 gm of RDX, a detonator and batteries from near the Qadian road last night.

A police press statement said Jasvir Singh (35) was an accomplice of arrested Babbar Khalsa International militant Gurpreet Singh held in the Shingaar cinema blast case and RDX smuggling in Punjab.

Jasvir Singh was also close to Harminder Singh, an absconding accused in terror cases.