Chandigarh, April 3
Bollywood star Anupam Kher, who was in the city to campaign for his wife and BJP candidate Kirron Kher, and Aam Aadmi Party candidate Gul Panag got nostalgic while going down memory lane during their visits to the Student Centre today.

Gul Panag visited the Student Centre along with her family members, who are assisting her in the campaign, to have "tasty" rajmah-chawal and chholey-bhature. Her fans kept insisting her to allow them to get photographed with her, to which she replied, "Arey khana toh khane do yaar (let me have my food first)."

After having food, she stopped to talk to students about their examinations and wished them good luck. A group of girls, studying physiology, asked her how she had "prepared herself" for this election. Gul said having studied political science had helped her in politics? She said, "Nobody learns politics from anybody; it is only experience that teaches you," she said.

Anupam Kher said he had come to the university today to return Rs 59, which he owed to an old contractor of Coffee House, Shobharam, since the time he was a student here. He recalled his "golden romantic days" on the campus with Kirron Kher.

What is your take on the status of the Union Territory? Should it remain a Union Territory or converted into a city state with a Legislative Assembly or be transferred to either Punjab or Haryana, as was initially intended?

The present set up of the UT is fine. It should remain as it is and should not be transferred to any state of Punjab or Haryana. The municipal corporations with its elected representatives are already there so no assembly is required. The interference by politicians will ruin the character of the city, as they will amend laws as per their convenience.

In the existing arrangement, what are the issues that the Member of Parliament (MP) should take up in Parliament?

The Member of Parliament should take up the issues of better air, rail and road connectivity of the city in Legislative Assembly. Though the rail connectivity has improved substantially connecting the City Beautiful with various religious and other major cities, yet the landing facilities at the airport needs improvement, so that international flights become operative during night times also. The MP should take up the issue of underground parking facilities and regularize those employees who were recruited 30 years ago in the Administration.

Are you satisfied with the way the UT is being administered - with an Administrator (Punjab Governor) reporting to the Union Government? Should the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh be given more powers? Give us your governance model for the UT.

In my opinion, the post of the Chief Commissioner delegating full powers should be restored, but there is no harm in keeping the administrative control under the Governor of Punjab. The municipal corporation should be given more powers under the leadership of the Chief Commissioner of the UT so that all development works are carried out expeditiously with the funds received directly from the Central Government. In my view, the municipal corporation under the Chief Commissioner with vast powers can administer well with the equal participation of the local MP. The Chief Commissioner should take views of experts before taking important decisions.

How should the UT be developed: As an IT hub, education hub, convention city, health tourism city, tourist destination or....?

The IT Park at Kishangarh village should be developed fully and the construction of the left over plots be expedited. The Chandigarh Administration should adopt more investor-friendly approach to attract more investment even from small IT companies. The present 500-bedded hospital in Sector 32 should be completed and put to use. The possibility of another hospital with facilities for cancer patients ahould be worked out. The world famous Nek Chand's Rock Garden should also be put to optimum use. There should be lighting facilities and other provisions so that tourists can visit the place even at night. I feel they should also introduce the light and sound show.

Can Chandigarh be developed into a World-class modern city? How? Are you in favour of the Metro? What should be done to speed up work?

The City Beautiful is already a modern city, an idea which was conceived by Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru and Partap Singh Kairon, the then Chief Minister of Punjab, and the same was designed by French architect Le corbusier. The heritage value must be maintained and those parts of the city that are not developed must be developed on the same lines. There is no need of constructing a Metro here, because if it is introduced then the entire city will have to be dug up and the city will lose its heritage charm. The public transport system should be improvised.

Should the UT's building bylaws remain stringent to retain its character or should they be made flexible?

The building bylaws should be need based and only those changes can be made which does not hamper the original character of the city.

What is your take on the status of the Union Territory? Should it remain a Union Territory or converted into a city state with a Legislative Assembly or be transferred to either Punjab or Haryana, as was initially intended?

Chandigarh should remain as a Union Territory.

In the existing arrangement, what are the issues that the Member of Parliament (MP) should take up in Parliament?

A Member of Parliament should take up issues at the local as well as Parliament level. The world famous Chandigarh's architectural heritage must be maintained. The restoration of Sector 17 and sector shops’ façade is a must. The taffic management should be high on priority. Affordable housing should be ensured for all residents.

Are you satisfied with the way the UT is being administered - with an Administrator (Punjab Governor) reporting to the Union Government? Should the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh be given more powers? Give us your governance model for the UT.

In my opinion, powers of the Municipal Corporation should not be increased. Instead, citizen groups should be given more participation and power. Involvement of representatives from the common community can help in better liaison between public and officials in handling common problems.

How should the UT be developed: As an IT hub, education hub, convention city, health tourism city, tourist destination or....?

Chandigarh should be developed as an education hub, given the well-placed structure of educational institutions at different levels.

Every one kilometer we have a school. We have many colleges and our University offers the best possible variety of courses. Health tourism also has a wide scope in the city.

Can Chandigarh be developed into a World-class modern city? How? Are you in favour of the Metro? What should be done to speed up work?

Yes, Chandigarh can be developed into a world-class modern city. It has the potential to represent the best of everything in terms of facilities.

Should the UT's building bylaws remain stringent to retain its character or should they be made flexible?

UT building bylaws should be made flexible to an extent that the original character of the city does not get compromised with. We must preserve it.

What is your take on the status of the Union Territory? Should it remain a Union Territory or converted into a city state with a Legislative Assembly or be transferred to either Punjab or Haryana, as was initially intended?

As a city, it has no parallel in India. Chandigarh first needs to be saved, and then preserved. To keep its status as a union territory should not be seen as a desire but a necessity.

In the existing arrangement, what issues of the city should the Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP) take up in the Parliament?

In my view, the city needs to be insulated from the rapid growth model that its expanding neighbourhood represents. Whatever laws need to be passed to secure its future as ‘an island’ of sorts, free of political pressures and adhering to the vision with which it was conceived should be thought of and worked towards.

Are you satisfied with the way the UT is being administered - with an Administrator (Punjab Governor) reporting to the Union Government? Should the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh be given more powers? Give us your governance model for the UT.

The earlier pattern of the city being headed by a Chief Commissioner should be brought back. The considerations which led to the abolition of that post, and to the introduction of the present governance model, are no longer of relevance.

How should the UT be developed: As an IT hub, education hub, convention city, health tourism city, tourist destination or....?

The Union Territory can be converted into a hub of education, IT and urban laboratory, all at one go.

Can Chandigarh be developed into a World-class modern city? How? Are you in favour of the Metro? What should be done to speed up work?

There are no easy answers and they should be thought of without a sense of undue haste. The best minds in India and the world should be involved in thinking the future of the city out. Rapid and efficient transit is a clear need.

Should the UT's building bylaws remain stringent to retain its character or should they be made flexible?

Clear and effective bylaws - stringent but marginally updated to accommodate new realities - are an imperative. The alternative would be that the chaos that is already looming because of lack of enforcement will gain in pace and simply take over.

What is your take on the status of the Union Territory? Should it remain a Union Territory or converted into a city state with a Legislative Assembly or be transferred to either Punjab or Haryana, as was initially intended?

Chandigarh should be made a city state with a Legislative Assembly.

That will ensure better administration here.

In the existing arrangement, what are the issues that the Member of Parliament (MP) should take up in Parliament?

To begin with he/she should initiate the process of formation of the city state. The endeavour will form the basis of good governance in the city.

Are you satisfied with the way the UT is being administered - with an Administrator (Punjab Governor) reporting to the Union Government? Should the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh be given more powers? Give us your governance model for the UT.

Chandigarh could have done better with a city state structure. The city, at present, lacks political will to see the issues through. The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh must be given more powers in context of decision-making. The governance model of the Chandigarh should be akin to that of Delhi.

How should the UT be developed: As an IT hub, education hub, convention city, health tourism city, tourist destination or....?

Chandigarh should be developed as a "City of Excellence" in any given field. It has the potential to excel in everything.

Can Chandigarh be developed into a World-class modern city? How? Are you in favour of the Metro? What should be done to speed up work?

Yes, Chandigarh can be developed into a world-class model city. The bases for that are very strong. Only focus is required. Yes, Chandigarh must have a Metro. Regarding the speed of implementation of the Metro project, the same can be hastened, provided there is a strong political will.

Should the UT's building bylaws remain stringent to retain its character or should they be made flexible?

The byelaws should neither be stringent nor relaxed. There has to be a practical approach while making changes in the bylaws. A periodic review can address the issue that will help in making amendments with the changing times.

What is your take on the status of the Union Territory? Should it remain a Union Territory or converted into a city state with a Legislative Assembly or be transferred to either Punjab or Haryana, as was initially intended?

The city has been crushed between the satellite towns around it, due to which its basic character has been lost with the passage of time. A political body of any kind - whether a Legislative Assembly or a Mayor-in-council, will help in restoring the character of the city and sustaining it for the future. There is a need for an expert’s commission. Like Delhi, the city requires an Urban Arts Commission with eminent experts from various streams.

In the existing arrangement, what issues of the city should the Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP) take up in the Parliament?

To save Chandigarh, which is a world heritage city, representatives should make efforts to get an Act enacted in Parliament declaring the entire Tricity as one single unified unit. Any political leader elected from the city should focus on getting the proposed Act passed and getting the Urban Arts Commission constituted, rather than just focusing on the old issues which have been part of their manifesto since decades, and nothing concrete has happened on ground till date.

Are you satisfied with the way the UT is being administered - with an Administrator (Punjab Governor) reporting to the Union Government? Should the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh be given more powers? Give us your governance model for the UT.

The city is having a confused model of governance at present which ultimately is effecting its smooth functioning. Due to multiplicity of powers none of the three CEOs, which include the Member of Parliament, UT Adviser, Municipal Corporation Mayor and above all the Raj Bhawan who is inaccessible but wields the real power! The city should have model governance for which one single top authority which should have the power to act, decide, and also be fully accountable and responsible.

How should the UT be developed: As an IT hub, education hub, convention city, health tourism city, tourist destination or....?

The city has an ideal urban model for growing as a ‘knowledge city’ with its large number of institutes, education hubs and IT centres, so the focus of the authorities should be to develop it on these lines along with developing it as a convention city also. Tourism should be promoted in the region by offering attractive packages to incoming business houses, as well as tap the huge architectural tourism potential.

Can Chandigarh be developed into a World-class modern city? How? Are you in favour of the Metro? What should be done to speed up work?

Yes! Indeed we should try and make it a world-class modern city. We should create our own model for the city with emphasis on sustainable, green and alternative energy. The Metro project has become the need for the Tricity population as the number of floating residents has increased manifolds. The authorities besides introducing The Metro should also start rapid mass urban transport systems with electric buses and construct good cycle-pedestrian tracks etc to promote cycling in the city. The shift from private car ownership to clean and efficient public transport is a must.

Should the UT's building bylaws remain stringent to retain its character or should they be made flexible?

The authorities should adopt stringent building bylaws for the central core heritage area of the city, as laid down in the Heritage Committee report.

What is your take on the status of the Union Territory? Should it remain a Union Territory or converted into a city state with a Legislative Assembly or be transferred to either Punjab or Haryana, as was initially intended?

Chandigarh was conceived by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to be the city which would be the symbol of emerging India, and it must be ensured that the image and uniqueness of the city remains intact. As long as its status is preserved either by keeping it as an UT or by transferring it to Punjab or Haryana does not matter.

In the existing arrangement, what issues of the city should the Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP) take up in the Parliament?

Chandigarh is the gateway of north India with Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh as its cultural centre. However over the years it has been acquiring new dimensions, hence the MP should make sure that the city’s planning remains intact. The MP should ensure that no high-rise buildings should come up in the city, as it would affect the view of the mountains in the backdrop. The MP should also put it across in Parliament that the city needs to be developed as a corridor between the emerging cities of Punjab and Haryana by getting the eight laning of roads done. The MP must ensure that the environmental issues are also looked into before developing any infrastructure.

Are you satisfied with the way the UT is being administered - with an Administrator (Punjab Governor) reporting to the Union Government? Should the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh be given more powers? Give us your governance model for the UT.

The city should not be known as the city of bureaucrats. The powers should be demarcated. The responsibilities between the UT Administration and the Municipal Corporation should be equally divided. The city should be governed on the lines of Delhi state, and its peripheral area should be developed like the national capital region (NCR). The small areas in the periphery should be collaborative with the city, as it has the potential to grow and expand.

How should the UT be developed: As an IT hub, education hub, convention city, health tourism city, tourist destination or....?

The city has the potential to be developed as an education, IT, tourism and health hubs at the same time. Like Washington DC, which is the federal capital and at the same time it provides the best health, education, and infrastructure facilities besides being the epicentre of cultural activities. Chandigarh too holds the potential of growing on the same lines.

Can Chandigarh be developed into a World-class modern city? How? Are you in favour of the Metro? What should be done to speed up work?

Yes, Chandigarh can be developed into a world-class modern city by ensuring decisive governance of all developmental projects being taken up and being invited. The Metro should be introduced to the city now, as a future investment. If the metro system construction gets underway now, the inconvenience that will be caused to the people will be way lesser than few years down the line.

What is your take on the status of the Union Territory? Should it remain a Union Territory or converted into a city state with a Legislative Assembly or be transferred to either Punjab or Haryana, as was initially intended?

Chandigarh should remain as a union territory and more powers should be given to the municipal corporation. There should be less bureaucratic presence and interference. At present, the UT Aministration and its officers are all pervasive and the council does not seem to have any significant presence. The roles of the council vis-à-vis UT Administration should be better defined. At present, there seems to be confusion.

In the existing arrangement, what issues of the city should the Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP) take up in Parliament?

The elected MP should get funds for the city and also ensure that all important pending projects are expedited and completed.

Are you satisfied with the way the UT is being administered - with an Administrator (Punjab Governor) reporting to the Union Government? Should the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh be given more powers? Give us your governance model for the UT.

The city must be developed holistically. We need to have more health care and educational facilities specially in the private sector domain. At present, all private medical institutions are in Mohali.

Can Chandigarh be developed into a World-class modern city? How? Are you in favour of the Metro? What should be done to speed up work?

I have reservation about the suitability of a Metro for the scale and layout of Chandigarh. The Metro might give better connectivity to the satellite cities with that of Chandigarh, but it will not help the residents of Chandigarh. As the traffic is increasing exponentially we definitely need an efficient public transport system. But in my opinion, an efficient BRT system with low board buses along with safe cycle and pedestrians tracks will go a long way in improving the traffic situation.

What is your take on the status of the Union Territory? Should it remain a Union Territory or converted into a city state with a Legislative Assembly or be transferred to either Punjab or Haryana, as was initially intended?

Chandigarh (UT) came into existence on November 1, 1966. Notwithstanding its manifold growth on all fronts, the UT still is not a ripe case for a Legislative Assembly. To improve the quality of governance, it is essential to review the existing distribution of functions, powers and finances between the Administration and the local government.

In the existing arrangement, what issues of the city should the Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP) take up in the Parliament?

Major problems which deserve immediate attention of a new MP are unemployment, drug abuse, crime specially against women, sanitation, including garbage disposal, water supply, roads, traffic woes, power supply, infrastructural facilities in the field of education and health.

Are you satisfied with the way the UT is being administered - with an Administrator (Punjab Governor) reporting to the Union Government? Should the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh be given more powers? Give us your governance model for the UT.

The existing model of the Administration - with an Administrator (Governor, Punjab) reporting to the Central Government is working satisfactorily.

How should the UT be developed: As an IT hub, education hub, convention city, health tourism city, tourist destination or....?

The advantage of proximity to the National Capital should be exploited for making Chandigarh an education hub, IT hub, and tourist destination. The city has the distinction of having Panjab University - the number one university in the country.

Can Chandigarh be developed into a World-class modern city? How? Are you in favour of the Metro? What should be done to speed up work?

The city has all the potential to become one of the best cities across the globe. For reinventing the City Beautiful, the newly elected MP should articulate for additional funds for education, health services, tourism, sanitation, water, power, road.

Should the UT's building bylaws remain stringent to retain its character or should they be made flexible?

To keep the flag of Chandigarh’s design flying high, only those changes in the building bylaws should be allowed which are in consonance with the philosophy of Le Corbusier’s design.

What is your take on the status of the Union Territory? Should it remain a Union Territory or converted into a city state with a Legislative Assembly or be transferred to either Punjab or Haryana, as was initially intended?

Chandigarh residents must appreciate that we are living in one of the best cities in India . Wide roads, less pollution, good security and polite policing.

In the existing arrangement, what issues of the city should the Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP) take up in the Parliament?

The airport must be upgraded and made into an international airport at the earliest. There should be more affordable housing for residents and the Master Plan needs to be modified to suit all sections of society.

Are you satisfied with the way the UT is being administered - with an Administrator (Punjab Governor) reporting to the Union Government? Should the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh be given more powers? Give us your governance model for the UT.

Some decentralisation of existing powers should be there with a more proactive Governor.

How should the UT be developed: As an IT hub, education hub, convention city, health tourism city, tourist destination or....?

The UT should be developed as a sports, education and convention city, and should have an international airport.

Can Chandigarh be developed into a World-class modern city? How? Are you in favour of the Metro? What should be done to speed up work?

Chandigarh, April 3
Chandigarh, which always had four counting centres in the parliamentary elections, will have a single counting centre this time.

The UT Election Department had planned five counting centres. However, citing security reasons, the Election Commission asked the UT to have a single centre where electronic voting machines (EVM) will be kept.

In the past, there used to be four counting centres at government colleges in sectors 11, 42 and 46 and the Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology, Sector 26. However, with the number of voters rising to 6.13 lakh, the Election Department had decided set up the fifth counting centre at the Government College of Education, Sector 20.

The EVMs were also supposed to be kept at the five counting centres.

UT Joint Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) stated that all the EVMs would be kept at the Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology, Sector 26, since there was a time gap of over a month between the day of polling and counting of votes. “It would be more safe to keep all the EVMs at one place,” he added.

Chandigarh, April 3
If the political parties are to be believed, the massive political rallies they carried out did not cost them more than Rs 4.5 lakh.

While Rs 4 lakh was spent on the BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s rally in Chandigarh, the BSP supremo Mayawtai’s rally cost the party around Rs 4.15 lakh. Around Rs 50,000 was spent on the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) road show, which was attended by the party convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

The political parties have submitted the expenditure details of their rallies with the UT Election Department.

The BJP had organised a rally at Sector 34 ground on March 29 where around 15,000 people had turned up. The rally had a huge well-decorated stage, seating arrangement for thousands of people and screens were installed for the supporters to watch the proceedings on the stage. Besides, the BJP supporters were also ferried to the venue on buses and cars. The party claims to have spent only Rs 4 lakh on organising the rally.

The BSP had organised a rally at Sector 25 on March 30. The party had also hired a large number of buses to ferry supporters to the rally. Besides making seating arrangements, the party had also distributed glasses of mineral water among the gathering. The BSP candidate Jannat Jahan Ul Haq had presented a 70-kg garland to the party leader Mayawati. All these things had cost the party Rs 4.11 lakh, the BSP claims. Out of Rs 4.11 lakh, Rs 80,000 was spent on transportation and Rs 3.31 lakh on making other arrangements, including decoration of stage, sound system, chairs etc.

The road show of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal that passed through the city was organised at Rs 50,000 only, the party claims. 

Mohali, April 3
High-security registration plates (HSRPs) will now be affixed at four new counters opened at the office of the District Soil Conservator, near Dara Studio here.

Deputy Commissioner Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu said earlier, vehicle owners had to go to Phase VIII after submitting the required fee at the DTO’s office in Phase I, which was time consuming and laborious.

He said now vehicle owners could deposit the fee and also get the HSRPs fitted on to their vehicles at the new fee counters opened at the office of the District Soil Conservator, located near the Truck Union. — OC

Mohali, April 3
Giving relief to Haryana IAS officer Ashok Khemka, the Mohali District Consumer Forum directed the Central Government Employees Welfare Housing Society to pay 15 per cent interest on an instalment of Rs 4.14 lakh, which the society had taken before the due date.

Through his counsel Pankaj Chandgothia, Khemka had approached the forum when the housing society agreed to give interest at the rate of 7 per cent per annum instead of 15 per cent, on the payment he had made before the due date. Chandgothia said the housing society had demanded Rs 4.14 lakh as the second instalment, failing which 15 per cent interest per annum was to be charged.

“To avoid the interest liability, my client paid the instalment on October 8, 2007. Later, it came to light that the second instalment was due in July 2008. My client had demanded 15 per cent interest (Rs 49,850) for 293 days as compensation for early payment of the instalment due to intimation of the wrong due date,” said Chandgotia.

The court of the forum’s president Madhu P Singh has directed the housing society to pay 15 per cent interest on the amount of instalment. The court also directed the society to pay Rs 25,000 as compensation and costs to the complainant.

Chandigarh, April 3
Senior public prosecutor of the special crime branch of the CBI, Sector 30, Pawan Kumar Dogra was awarded Director's Commendation Certificate in recognition for his dedication, commitment to duty and professional excellence during the year 2013 on April 1.

April 1 is observed as the CBI’s Raising Day.

He was awarded the certificate by the director of CBI at the CBI headquarters in New Delhi.

Dogra has earlier been awarded gold medal for the best prosecutor of 2007, while working as public prosecutor in CBI anti-corruption branch, Chandigarh. He was promoted as senior public prosecutor in December, 2013, and was posted in the special crime branch. — TNS

Chandigarh, April 3
A two-day national workshop on explosive working on metals, Explo-Work 2014, began at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), here today.

On the occasion, scientists, researchers, academia and entrepreneurs came together to share their expertise, experience and knowledge in the field of explosive welding and forming.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr S Sundaresh, director general armament, and combat engineers at the Defence Research and Development Organisation headquarters.

In his key note address, Prof K Hokamoto from Kamamoto University, Japan, highlighted the research work in the field of explosive forming in Japan. He also described the underwater shock facility on the university premises that has been set up for the forming process.

Eminent speakers in this field from the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Indian Institute of Technology, DRDO laboratories and universities will be delivering talks during the workshop.

A live demonstration of explosive welding process in Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory will also be held during the two-day national workshop.

Chandigarh, April 3
City youths believe that they are heading towards a disastrous future as the academic knowledge imparted to them in our educational institutions is of no use to them in practical life.

Students of the Government College for Girls, Sector 11, feel that colleges are producing useless products for the commercial market. They further added that authorities are clueless about the requirements of the advanced innovative industry.

No political parties have ever noticed that that the academic institutes are following the same old syllabus and methods to teach in the colleges, which they did a decade ago, said college student Anusha Bhatti. “How can the youth compete with the commercial market which is demanding far more than what we learn in our colleges?” asked Bhatti.

Yogita Dhiman said political parties are connecting with the youth just for garnering votes and they are hardly bothered about upgradation and improvement in the education system, as per the needs of the market.

Charu said she is excited to vote for the first time but she has no hope from the candidates of any political party as all are the same and have similar agenda for the city which lacks genuine development and have only false promises.

Jasmine Gill said if our leaders, who put so much energy in preparing the manifesto, put half of the efforts on the development of the country, the facet of the country would change significantly.

Megha said there is some hope of change as new candidates fielded by few parties in elections are honest and development-oriented.

Chandigarh, April 3
In order to bring transparency in checking of board examination papers, the CBSE has introduced new pattern for checking the answer sheets from this year onwards. Teachers will now be correcting the answer sheets of Class X on computers instead of conventional manual method.

Meanwhile, still struggling to adapt to the new system of correcting the papers, teachers claimed that the speed of correction had decreased significantly due to the new system.

A teacher, on the condition of anonymity, said, “On the first day, it almost took 40 minutes for each teacher to correct one paper. Even after a week, the papers are still being corrected at a snail’s pace.” Sources revealed that despite the CBSE demanding from schools to relieve teachers of correction, the schools were not relieving them. Due to this, number of examiners available at the centre was half the number of required strength.

The authorities claimed that with the introduction of the new system, no scope for leniency was left and the marks that will now be allocated purely on the basics of the quality of the answer.

According to the information, CBSE had hired agencies to convert the hard copies of answer sheets to soft copies in DVDs. The agencies have deputed instructors at all examination centres to guide teachers on how to operate the systems.

Officials informed that the new system will also benefit the students applying for re-evaluation. Meanwhile, regional CBSE director RJ Khanderao, said, “Introduction of technology in the evaluating system would bring in more transparency and increase the pace of the whole process.” Khanderao added, “All the teachers were given one-day training to understand the modality of the new system and were also given demo lessons on how to operate the systems.”

Chandigarh, April 3
Around 35 students of the Sadbhavana College of Education for Women, Talwandi, Raikot, Ludhiana, today staged a protest at the Vice-Chancellor office, Panjab University, for not getting their roll numbers to appear for the examinations.

Dean Student Welfare Navdeep Goyal said the college had been disaffiliated last year from the list of the university and a court case was going on in the High Court.

Later in the evening, after the High Court’s stay order and direction for issuing provisional roll number, students were issued provisional roll numbers by the controller of examination office.