At what cost fixed term of govt ?
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 22 — The manifesto of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) promises a law to provide for a fixed term of five years for all elected bodies, including legislatures.

Mr Arun Loomba, an architect, said a fixed five-year term for all elected bodies would give the much-needed stability to the nation, and the development of the nation would become a matter of priority for the government. "When the government changes every now and then, the first to be affected are various development projects," he said. Mr Loomba added that this would also make the voters more responsible, "because they would have to think before voting".

Agreeing to the fact that only that government can provide stability to the nation which would last for at least five years, Sonu D.P. Singh, a student of Panjab University, said, "All politicians are essentially the chip of the same block. So whichever party or a coalition of parties, the nation collectively decides to vote for, it should be given a full term of five years.

"But this would mean that the party which forms the government would have no or very little accountability towards the people, because a five-year berth would be ensured for them", said Mr Sudhir Sharma, Reader in Panjab University. Not agreeing to ensuring a five-year term for all elected bodies, Mr Sharma said this step might lead to stability, but he questioned whether the ruling political party would be able to stop the misuse of power at a time when they are assured of the fact that they would not be thrown out of power before the end of their term. "And too many changes in the Constitution would have to be carried out to make this possible", he said.

Mr Gurbachan Singh, school lecturer, added that the fixed five-year term cannot ensure that politicians would work only for the good of the nation and the people. "Politicians would be sure of their term and so may end up doing more harm than good", he said. But he stressed on the need for educating people about casting their vote, "since this would automatically check the problem because when all citizens vote, a majority party would emerge that would form a government on its own for five years".

Another student, Sukhbir, said that the decision to provide for a fixed term for all elected bodies would be welcomed since holding elections every year burdens the country and the exchequer. "Even the image of our country has been taking a nose-dive since the world also sees us a nation of squabbling coalition governments. A fixed five-year term would mean that the government would be able to justice to the national and the international commitments", he added.

Trauma of seeking licence
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 22 — When Shivani Gupta, daughter of Mr Darshan Gupta, 1223, Sector 19-B, Chandigarh, applied to the Licensing Authority, Chandigarh Administration, nearly six months ago for a driving licence hardly did she realise the amount of harassment she would suffer at the hands of officials concerned. First of all she had to visit the office almost every week to get the document, but she would return with the official giving another date to procure it.

After undergoing this exercise for almost six months, she was finally issued the driving licence last week. But her joy of getting the document was shortlived as it contained all particulars, except the photograph, of a different person.The licence carried the name of Promila Walia, daughter of Mr Joginder Singh, 1771/1, Sector 29-B, Chandigarh.

The document issued is for ''Moped only'', whereas Shivani had applied for a licence to drive a scooter/car. Even the date of birth has been changed from January 20, 1974, to August 12, 1959.The travail did not end here. When she requested the office to issue her a driving licence after carrying out the necessary corrections, the official concerned had the cheek to tell her that the relevant file was not traceable in the office and that she had to apply afresh for a valid driving licence.This means that she had to first apply for a learning licence and then for a valid licence.

Going by the pace of issuing the documents, she would be required to frequent the office for another about eight months.

Only 8 rooms for 10 classes
From Our Correspondent

PERCH (Kharar), Aug 22 — Students sitting on jute mats in scorching heat and humid weather and classrooms without adequate space indicate the condition of the primary and high schools in Perch village of Kharar tehsil.

The campus housing the two schools which have about 400 students on their rolls has only eight rooms for 10 classes.

A primary schoolteacher said that students had to sit in the open and it becomes difficult for them to take classes in the rainy seasons. All the classes have to be adjusted in two rooms.

Lack of study material is another problem the school is facing. It is still awaiting the arrival of English primers for students. "The teaching work is affected due to the non-availability of books," complains another teacher.

The high school, upgraded in 1995, is short of teaching staff. The science teacher also has to teach mathematics as the school has only one teacher for the two subjects.

There are 56 students in Class X. They complain that it becomes difficult for them to follow the lessons in a "crowded" classroom. The teachers agree with the students and feel that the classes should be split into sections.

The science laboratory is in a poor condition. A teacher said that the laboratory was short of vital apparatus. Moreover, in the absence of sufficient place in the room, it become difficult to accommodate the whole class.

Another problem highlighted by the staff and the students is the lack of drinking water and toilet facilities. The students use the nearby open place for toilet purposes and go to the adjoining houses to drink water.

The school which is about 6 km from the PGI, is inadequately served by the bus service which does not match the school time.

Craze for English medium schools
From Our Corespondent

CHANDIGARH, Aug 22 — Scores of unrecognised private schools have come up in the rural areas on the city's periphery. What attracts students to these schools is their claim of having English as the medium of instruction.

The growth of such unrecognised schools in Zirakpur, Mullanpur, Perch, Naya Gaon, Manauli and several other villages,is due to the absence of English medium in the government schools. Parents are keen on giving English education to their children.

On an average, every village in the periphery has more than three such schools. Located in congested localities and filthy surroundings, these schools have attracted hundreds of students.

A number of parents, interviewed by this correspondent said poor educational facilities in government schools force them to go to these schools.

"Both my children are studying in a private school and I prefer to send them there in spite of a heavy fee they charge. I want my children to learn English," says Mr Abdul Sattar Khan, who runs a tailoring shop in Mullanpur Garibdass village.Private schools charge between Rs 70 to Rs 100 per student according to the class. Government schools charge Rs 11 from the high school students and about Rs 4 from middle- standard students.

These schools make their students appear as private candidates. Such schools have been operating for the past several years and the authorities have been unable to check their number.A majority of the privately managed schools in the rural areas also lack adequate staff. A teacher in one such school said teachers in these schools were less qualified than those in government schools. This, however, did not deter the parents from sending their children to these schools, the teacher said.

The Punjab State Education department introduced English at the primary level last year. But the flow of rural students to these schools remained unchecked because of the age restriction in government schools.

"When parents of very young children approach us, we ask them to take their children to private schools.," said another teacher.

"Students who come to us from these private schools are admitted to class Ist even if they have studied up to class III there," said principal of a primary school.

Teachers say government schools should also be allowed to have English or Hindi medium as these are preferred by parents and will put a check on the further mushrooming of such unrecognised schools.

Housing complex faces problems
By A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Aug 22 — The Modern Housing Complex, Mani Majra, has been facing many problems in regard to basic civic amenities.

Approach roads on main entrances and exits — one at the 'T' point entrance to the complex from Manimajra and main road which comes from AWHO/petrol station side and the other from Old Manimajra — have become traffic hazard. It blocks the view for the driver, especially of light and medium vehicles.

Garbage accumulated in the complex emits foul smell, said Mr A.N. Chawla, a resident of the complex.

Another resident Rakesh Verma, a bank employee, said there was poor planning on part of the administration and felt during the past two to three years the condition had gone from bad to worse, particularly after the formation of the municipal corporation.

People have to cover a distance of more than 2 km when the railway gate is closed and many a time it takes nearly 20 to 30 minutes for the traffic to clear. This poses problems for office-goers, said Rajiv Gulati, another resident of the complex.

Mr Dhiraj said the administration should build sub-ways or small flyovers.

Mr Arun Verma, another resident, said there was a need of having speed breakers at various points in the complex.

Neglected roundabouts
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Aug 22 — The roundabouts in the township, most of which have been allocated to private institutions and business houses for maintenance, are in a state of neglect.

As many as six roundabouts were listed by the Horticulture Department of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) last year and handed over mostly to private institutions. Only two are maintained by the Horticulture Department. Of these, the roundabout between Sectors 8 and 6 is well maintained.

The main process for the allocation of roundabouts started in 1997 when many organisations and associations volunteered to maintain these roundabouts. Since then these organisations have done hardly any maintenance. Some of these roundabouts have an abundant growth of wild vegetation. The grass is mown irregularly. Most of the days there is absence of a regular gardner and consequently no flowers or other plantations are seen on these roundabouts.

Not much landscaping has been done on these roundabouts. The absence of protective railings on the edges of the roundabouts gives easy access to stray cattle. Children playing on the roundabouts not only hamper plantation but also make the area accident prone. Many people during morning and evening hours crowd these roundabouts. Not only does this spoil the plantations and flower beds but also contributes significantly to the presence of many unauthorised rehris on roads near these roundabouts .

The Horticulture Department has failed to persuade these parties to pay attention to the maintenance of these spots. The only thing maintained on these roundabouts is the boards displaying the logo and the name of the institution entrusted with the maintenance of each roundabout. The department has specified the dimensions of pillars and signboards to be installed by these institutions for advertising purposes.

No pillar or signboard should exceed 50 cm in height. Most of the roundabouts have signboards and pillars almost double this size.

The roundabouts of Sectors 2 and 6 and Sectors 12 and 14 were allotted almost five months back. Till date hardly any maintenance has been done.

The Horticulture Department has served several notices on these parties to start the maintenance process but has failed to move them.

Herbal park with 150 plant varieties
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Aug 22 — A novel experiment by the horticulture wing of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) to develop an open space of land in Sector 65 (Phase XI) as Herbal Park has proved to be a success.

The aim of the garden is to acquaint people with various herbal trees and plants. Different varieties of herbal plants, including trees, shrubs and herbs, have been successfully grown in the park as the survival rate of these plants is good. Another feature of the garden is that stands on a piece of land which was lying unutilised.

In addition to this, the park has proved to be a good place for strollers as every morning and evening scores of them can be seen enjoying the look and aromatic quality of these plants.

The park spread over an area of 1.87 acres, which was the brainchild of Ms Seema Jain, former Additional Chief Administrator (ACA) of PUDA, today has 150 varieties of herbal plants. An additional 130 varieties will be added at the park, say horticulture officials.

Decorative lights, pathways and benches are an added attraction at the park.

The main species of herbal plants grown in the park include asparagus, vincarosia, Amaryllus belladona, Bassi lalifolia, bambusa, Andropogan spremgiri, Bauhinia alba and bryophyllem.