EDUCATION

1,925 middle students’ candidature to be cancelled
From Our Correspondent

SAS NAGAR, Feb 5 — The candidature of 1,925 students is to be cancelled as each of them has sent two admission forms for the Middle class examination of the Punjab School Education Board.

The board secretary, Mr Jagjit Singh Sidhu, said here yesterday that according to rules, such students were trying to “bluff” the board. However, if the school concerned took the responsibility that a candidate had made a genuine mistake, then cancellation would not be resorted to.

He said the board had also found that 1,001 private candidates for the Middle class examination were not eligible as they were under 12 years of age. Students who had cleared the Class V examination held by the Education Department three years ago could, however, be allowed to appear even if they were under age.

Mr Sidhu said a student, Angrej Singh, who had been debarred from appearing in the examination for one year following an unfair means case against him, had again filled in the examination form by changing the name of his mother. His candidature had been cancelled.

Students flay result delay
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 5 —Delay in timely declaration of re-evaluation results in Panjab University came in for sharp criticism at the executive meeting of the Haryana Students’ Association , a press release said here today.

It was highlighted that long after declaration of several re-evaluation results, students still waited for the marksheet.

The association has announced a threat for an agitation in case students’ interests regarding examination process did not see immediate action.

The HSA also demanded the university authorities to clear the status on the paper for environmental studies at the undergraduate level.

The need for the university authorities to step up university security was also highlighted in light of a recent incident on the campus in which a student lost his eye.

Rs 2 lakh grant for school
From Our Correspondent

ZIRAKPUR, Feb 5 — To provide quality education besides technical training in the government school of the state, the Punjab Government is chalking out special plans. This statement was made by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance and Planning Minister of Punjab, at the annual function of Government High School, here today.

Besides giving away prizes to students who had shown outstanding performance in different fields, he announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the purchase of the school furniture. Six new classrooms and six toilets would be constructed by the next year, he said.

The minister said new buildings would be constructed to provide sufficient space for the classes. New rooms would also be constructed in schools having shortage of rooms. The government was planning to provide modern infrastructure in Government High School, Dera Bassi, particularly because the school was the oldest one in this area.

He urged parents to devote time to the education of their children and asked the teachers to prepare the students for competitions.

The minister also held a meeting of the Parent Teacher Association to know the problems of the school. A cultural programme was presented by students.

Mr Sher Singh Sidhu, SDM; Mr H.S. Bhullar, DSP; Mr Gurbaksh Singh Saini, former Deputy Director Sports; Mr Jagjit Singh Dalli, President of the Municipal Council; Ms Balbir Kaur, school Principal; and parents of the students were also present on the occasion.

COURTS

Sentenced for stealing diesel
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 5 — Sentencing driver Shamsher Singh and conductor Kaur Singh of a PEPSU Roadways bus to two-and-a-half years rigorous imprisonment, UT Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate H.S. Madaan also sentenced truck driver Mukhtiar Singh and cleaner Gulzar Singh for stealing diesel.

The four were earlier booked by the Chandigarh Police for theft and dishonestly receiving stolen property, knowing it to be stolen under Section 379, 411, 332, 353 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the prosecution, the police had received information regarding the sale of diesel from a roadways bus by accused Shamsher Singh and Kaur Singh to Mukhtiar Singh and Gulzar Singh.

The prosecution had added that Mukhtiat Singh, on being stopped, had hurled a brickbat towards a Sub Inspector after dropping a plastic can. The brickbat had hit the SI on the back of his head, it was added.

Today, pronouncing the orders in the open court, the ACJM observed: “It is proved on the file that all the four accused had common intention and they committed the theft of diesel from bus PB-11-A-9230 PEPSU Roadways, and on that very day, time and place Mukhtiar Singh voluntarily caused hurt to Sub Inspector Sukhpal Singh who was on duty, by throwing a brickbat upon him, hurting him on the head....”

The ACJM further observed: “I do not see any reason to disbelieve the testimonies of the witnesses examined by the prosecution and that the prosecution has been quite successful in proving that Shamsher Singh and Kaur Singh were on duty as driver and conductor respectively on June 26, 1994, at about 10 pm in Transport Area, Chandigarh, and they committed a criminal breach of trust with respect to diesel in that bus, which had been entrusted to them in their capacity as public servants”.