EDUCATION

Section transfer flayed
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 17 — Speculations on the transfer of a couple of posts from the Lexicography Section to the regular Department of Punjabi in Panjab University has made regular teachers severely criticise the move.

The Secretary of the Academic Committee, Dr Nahar Singh, and Dr Jagjit Singh, Secretary of the Administrative Committee of the department, have criticised the present move in a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor. Dr Nahar Singh said addition of two posts would only increase the gap in the teaching periods of the department, besides posing a threat to the Lexicography Section.

Dr Jagjit Singh said lexicography was a serious academic discipline where translation works and dictionaries figured prominently. The university, however, was unable to provide any serious research dictionary in Punjabi since 1985. He said the subject was highly important and had a major contribution in research developments in languages.

The Chairman of the department, Prof Om Prakash Vashisth, said nothing had been done against the rules. The grievance of the teachers was that the academic and administrative bodies had not been taken into account for certain programmes. He said it was not always necessary.

Professor Vashisth said teachers were needed to handle the extra education burden. The department had earlier been able to offer many optional papers to students. He said the diplomas and certificate courses had suffered to such an extent that these had no takers for the past couple of years.

Professor Vashisth said he had received a copy of the complaint through the VC's office and had responded. There was no move to change the recruitment pattern which affected academic interests, he said.

In the data tabulated along with the letter, it has been said that the department has mentioned only 63 lectures being held annually against the UGC norm of 128 lectures. The deficiency of 65 was obviously more than 50 per cent. Dr Nahar Singh said issue could be denied by saying classes were needed in more courses but there was none in the present context.

The letter says, "At present, the faculty is carrying less than 50 per cent of the required workload. Even if additional courses and options are allowed, it can amount to about 85 per cent at the maximum. Unfortunately, the workload was never discussed in the academic or administrative committees".

There are complaints about "vested interests" to get the posts changed without recommendations of the academic and administrative committees, which is "mandatory under the rules".

Information on the "factual and actual position" of the workload of the department has been demanded.

COURTS

Students’ plea allowed
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Feb 17 — Mr Justice V S Aggarwal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the writ petition filed by Nidhi Bharti and two other students of Ambala Cantonment who inter alia had sought direction to the Central Board of Secondary Education for allowing them to appear in the plus two examination to be conducted in March, 2000.

The petitioners were not allowed to take the examination primarily on the ground that the relevant rules had since been amended in October, 1998, and that the petitioners were eligible to take only one chance if they were placed in compartment before their admission to class XI.

The judge observed that “the rules have been amended in October, 1998. The petitioners had already been admitted to class XI. It would be improper to refuse the petitioners to take the examination because presently they have cleared the compartment examination.”

The judge directed the respondents to make necessary arrangements for the petitioners to take the practical examination, if necessary.

Minor convict freed on probation
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 17 — Convicting a 13-year-old Dhanas resident in an assault case, the UT Principal Magistrate of Juvenile Court, Mr Sant Parkash, and member, Mr Jasbir Singh, today released him on probation.

The accused was booked by the Chandigarh police under Sections 325 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. According to the prosecution, the accused, in furtherance of common intention with mother Roshila Devi, had caused grievous hurt to Sandeep Kumar while playing.

The prosecution had added that the accused had committed an offence by handing over a bat to his mother.

Today, holding the accused guilty, the Bench observed in the open court: "We are satisfied that the accused has confessed his guilt without any fear or coercion and the confession statement made by the accused is voluntary in nature".

The Bench added: "Admittedly the accused is a minor. It is also not disputed that he is a student. Seeing the circumstances of the accused it will be of no use to award a hard punishment to him. Moreover, in the present days, the criminal law is not to be used in punitive manner but is also to be used in a reformatory manner. An opportunity must be afforded to such like accused to join the mainstream of society and live like a peaceful citizen".

Contempt notice to SHO
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 17 — On an application seeking the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against the Station House Officer of Sector 17 police station in a complaint case, the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, today issued notice for March 7.

Accusing the SHO of wilfully disobeying the court orders, complainant Mahesh Gupta stated that the first information report had not been registered "with a view to frustrating the direction contained in order of December 15, 1999".

Counsel for the applicant added that investigation had not been conducted as statements under Section 161 of the CrPC had not been recorded till date by the police.

Giving details, counsel had stated that the court had earlier directed the SHO to investigate and submit a report on a complaint filed by the applicant alleging "misappropriation and forgery of misplaced cheques".

CULTURE

Pianist-sculptor jugalbandi
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 17 — A unique jugalbandi of a French composer-pianist and a sculptor of the region will be organised here on February 19.

The jugalbandi will comprise composer-pianist Marc Vella and sculptor Shiv Singh, atop a truck that will make a tour of the city.

According to Mr Daniel Riou, Director, Alliance Francaise, Chandigarh, “The idea is to put these artists together, and once on board, Marc Vella will perform on the piano and Shiv Singh will sculpt”.

The tour of the city will start at 10 a.m. from the CII building, Sector 32 and Marc Vella will perform his first mini concert at Vivek High School, Sector 38, at around 10.15 a.m. After playing there, he will proceed to perform in front of Janta Colony in Sector 25, Student Centre in Panjab University and then the Rose Garden at 12.45 p.m..

At his stop at the Piazza, Sector 17, Vella will be joined by Shiv Singh, and then the duo will proceed to Sukhna Lake for the last part of the tour.

Meanwhile, Marc Vella will also perform in the CII building on the evening of February 18 for the Rotary Club. The next evening he is scheduled to perform at the Alliance Francaise Art gallery in Sector 36.