Supplementary exams from Sept 27
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Supplementary examination for undergraduate and postgraduate classes of Panjab University are scheduled to commence from September 27.

Examinations conclude on October 12 for undergraduate classes in arts, science and commerce streams, Bachelor in Business Administration, Bachelor in Computer Application and Bachelor in Education, besides, partial re-appear examination for postgraduate classes, Mr Ashok Bhandari, Joint Controller of Examination said, while addressing mediapersons here today. He said the university was attempting to have the results of the special examination declared by the second week of November. He added that 24,700 candidates were on list of the reappear examination till date. These included 22,000 in BA, B.Sc and B.Com classes, 2000 in MA, 250 in BBA and BCA, and 20 in B.Ed classes.

The BA I ( English) examination are on October 12, BA II on October 13 and B.Com III and BA III on October 14. The attempt at an early declaration of results was with a view to assist the students to save an academic year in several cases, Mr Bhandari said.

There are 31 examination centres spread over the five zones. The examination branch has also written to the police headquarters concerned for security arrangements at the centres. The principal of the centre will be the chief co-ordinator.

An official note said examination cards of all eligible candidates of all streams had been dispatched by the office. Those who do not receive their admission cards for the arts and science streams should contact the office of the Joint Controller of Examination on September 25 and 26. Those appearing in commerce streams of undergraduate classes have been asked to contact the office on September 29. No candidate without roll number cards would be allowed to take the examination. 

Teachers’ union chief quits
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Feeling let down following the debacle of leaders in the Panjab University Senate elections, Dr Jagwant Singh, president of the local unit of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, today submitted his resignation.

In a letter to the general secretary, Dr Jagwant Singh said for the past few years they had discussed different points about the deterioration in values of colleagues. Senators and Senate groups had, for the past some time, shown outside influence. “This raised certain questions in my mind about the motives and interests of teachers”, Dr Jagwant Singh said.

Dr Jagwant Singh had been active in the union activities for the past two decades. He pointed out that election results of the Senate from the college teachers’ constituency had been a revelation of what motives the present lot of teachers had. He felt extremely sad that all dirty tricks played by politicians were used by candidates.

He also mentioned bribe in the form of marks in practical examination for children of colleagues, caste, community and religion as a means to influence voters. Among those who lost, two had spent more than two decades in teacher union activities. Some had spent days in jail.

Board plans model paper on Net
By Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Sept 22 — To access information about the Punjab School Education Board at the click of a mouse, the board has tied up with a company providing information on the Internet. Initially, information relating to the examinations conducted by the board for different classes would be available by the end of next month.

The facility would enable the students to go through the model papers, instructions for papers setters and best attempted questions by the the students who top in the annual examinations of the board. This would save the students from a lot of harassment and help them prepare in a better manner for their respective examinations.

A private company with which the board had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) few months back to provide the result of this years middle class examinations will provide the information on its website : //www.egurucool.com. The subject experts of the board have been asked to prepare a comprehensive programmee entailing information on the examinations A meeting between the subject experts led by the Director (Academics) and the Secretary of the board and the representative of the private company was held yesterday.

Initially the modal paper and attempted questions by the toppers in the science stream in the senior secondary school examinations would be provided on the Net. Mr Jagjit Singh Sidhu, Secretary of the board, said that since most of the science stream students opted for English medium the information would be available in English. The others streams of the plus two, matric and the middle classes would be added later once the software was prepared in other languages.

Asserting his point the Secretary said the project was being taken after seeing the success of the facility proving the result of this years’ middle class on the Net, which was accessed by around 30,000 students.

In another project the board authorities have also decided to provide information about the syllabus of the science stream on the Net. Beginning with chapter-wise, information and a set on questionnaire to test the learning skills of the students would be available on the website. The board authorities plan to have a set of question banks which would change each time the website was opened. The board authorities were planning to provide immediate feedback to the queries received through the e-mail. Presently e-mail is not replied back immediately as different branches are not computerised

Mr Sidhu said a website on the Punjab Education Department was being prepared by a government department. The website would also have information about the board.

Merry moments at PU boys’ hostels 
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Freshers’ parties at the boys’ hostels of Panjab University proved to be fine moments of merry making here today.

With no claims to being professional artistes, the boys used tender but strong hearts to render songs and dances. Dances which are quite common in the hostel corridors and rooms, were appealing as they found their way onto the stage. Mimicry items have established themselves as permanent features of the shows.

Hostel No. V had song performances by Daljit Singh Kang. Kang, a resident of the same hostel, is pursuing a course in the Laws Department. He has just completed his first audio-cassettee.

“Fun is the order of the day”, a newcomer to this session said. Mr G.S. Gill, warden was also present on the occasion. Hostels also witnessed brief visits by Prof V.K. Bansal, the Dean Student Welfare.

Hostel No. VI had the warden, Dr Naval Kishore, in the chair. Gaurav, deserves a special mention for his break dance.

Hostel No. I had a crowded hall. The mood was largely not that of critics but rather friendly. “We care to sit here not as judges on the quality of the items. Items managed instant rapport with the audience because the actors are co-partners and literally ‘members of the same house’, a senior student said.

The show was followed by a special lunch.

COURTS

Haryana land takeover order quashed
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — In a judgment assailing the conduct of the state of Haryana in grabbing land measuring 85 kanals and 4 marlas in Hisar as abuse of power, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed the notification under the Land Acquisition Act as it was not published in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4 and 6 of the Act and held it did not conform with the requirements of the law.

The Bench comprising Mr Justice J.L. Gupta and Mr Justice K.S. Grewal, while imposing compensatory costs on the state of Rs 1,00,000, directed that further proceedings initiated by the issue of notice under Section 9, could not be sustained and quashed them.

A writ petition for quashing the impugned notification was filed by Mr Vinod Tyal, a landowner of Hisar. The land along with a house thereon were taken by the government on lease for 30 years to convert it into the residence of the Deputy Commissioner. On the expiry of the term the lease was renewed for 20 years and the same was never vacated by the government. Not even the paltry rent at which it was requisitioned was paid by the government. The story of land grab by the government began in 1905.

Pulling up the state agancies, the Bench observed: “Before we part with the case, we feel constrained to point out that the conduct of the state has not left us with a happy feeling. It is the admitted position that huge property worth a substantial amount had been taken on lease for a paltry sum. Even after expiry of the renewed lease in 1995, it was not vacated. In 1960, the proprietor was coerced to execute a lease deed for five years on the ground that the Deputy Commissioner’s residence was to be constructed. After the construction was completed, the Settlement Officer was made to occupy the premises which he vacated in six months. The Deputy Commissioner never vacated the premises. In addition, the prevalent rate of rent. Rs 86 per month was not paid to the petitioner.”

The Bench further observed: In 1989 when he initiated proceedings, the proceedings the authorities tendered rent for a three years only (out of about 20 years) on the ground of limitation. There after, the petitioner had to periodically approach the court for payment of rent. It was not voluntarily paid to him”.

The Bench ruled that the state had acted in a manner worse than ordinary litigant. “We cannot compliment the state for its conduct. It was, at the lowest, unfair and arbitrary. It was misuse of authority. A public authority failed to act for public good”, it said.

RI for selling adulterated sauce
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Sept 22 — The Panchkula Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Ved Pal Sharma, has sentenced a vendor Mohammad Umar, accused of keeping adulterated sauce, to one year rigorous imprisonment, besides imposing a fine of Rs 1000. In case of default in payment, he has been directed to further undergo RI for three months.

The accused who used to prepare chat on a rehri opposite the main gate of Pinjore Garden was booked under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 by then Ambala Food Inspector, Mr Piara Lal Narwal, on August 25, 1990.

The accused, according to the prosecution, was found with 4 kg of tamarind sauce in a pan for public sale. The inspector, who conducted the raid, was accompanied by Dr. Gyanendra Sharma and Mr Jabbar Singh Chauhan, TSI of Kalka.

After disclosing his identity, the inspector purchased 600 gms of sauce for Rs 6 and subsequently served a notice to the accused. The samples of that sauce were sent to the Public Analyst, Haryana for analysis.

According to reports of the analyst the sauce was found having 2.3 per cent acetic acid with 12.41 per cent soluble solids. The paper chromatography test showed the presence of added unpermitted orange acid coal tar dye.

Ex-sarpanch’s arrest stayed

Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar of the High Court stayed the arrest of Mr Charanjit Singh, a former sarpanch of Hoshiarpur Nagar village in Amritsar district, in FIR No. 77 dated July 8, registered at Gharinda police station in Amritsar.

The petitioner alleged that even though he has not been named in the FIR, he had been falsely implicated because of enmity with Mr Balkar Singh, MLA, because he had been helping the widow of former MLA, Mr Dalbir Singh, who was murdered by terrorists. There was a dispute between the widow of Dalbir Singh and the MLA with regard to the family land. The petitioner has been helping the widow in her litigation against the MLA. Therefore, he has been falsely implicated in the case.

The allegations in the FIR which had been registered against eight others state that they were involved in smuggling and were crossing the border with any passport or visa to Pakistan. They also used to smuggle arms, ammunition and supplied these at the instance of ISI to terrorists.

The Judge issued notice to the Advocate-General for November 21.

Plea to recall order

The Haryana Pollution Control Board (HPCB) moved an application in the High Court for recall of its order passed on September 19, in the Haryana Organics case for ordering unsealing the premises of the company and restoring electricity.

The HPCB in its application alleged that the petitioner-company had concealed material facts from the High Court, and that it had earlier filed a caveat in this court under Section 148-A, CPC on September 8. The caveat had been sent to Haryana Organics by registered post.

After hearing counsel for the HPCB, a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr Justice K.C. Gupta issued notice to counsel of Haryana Organics for October 4, which was accepted by counsel.

NRI declared proclaimed offender 
From Tribune Reporters

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — A city court has declared Harpreet Singh, presently residing in Canada, a proclaimed offender, on the charges of harassing his wife for bringing inadequate dowry and criminal breach of trust.

According to the FIR, he and his parents, who live in Phase II, SAS Nagar, sister and brother-in-law used to harass Anju Bajwa for not brining upto their expectations, although her parents claimed that Rs 30 lakh was spent on the marriage. The accused also lied about the educational qualifications of their son to enable him to settle abroad.

Anju is a citizen of Canada and took him with her. Upon reaching theree, he reportedly deserted her. His whereabouts are not been disclosed by his parents. He did not join the investigations, forcing the court to declare him a proclaimed offender.

A student of Carmel Convent School, she completed did her graduation from GCG, Sector 11, and postgraduation in psychology from Panjab University. She emigrated to Canada in 1996 on independent professional basis.

Remand for two

The two persons allegedly involved in a blind murder case were sent to police remand by the UT Judicial Magistrate(first class) till September 27. It was alleged that the accused — Satwinder Singh and Nirmal Singh — had murdered Sukhdev Kaur of Sector 38. The accused are residents of Ludhiana. It was alleged that they had killed the victim for money.

The accused were arrested on September 21 with the help of Mr Joginder Singh, husband of the deceased. The Judge observed that the police had to recover the money and jewellery from the accused and sent them to police remand till September 27.

Case adjourned

The defamation case filed against the owner of Zee Network, Mr Subhash Chandra, Rajat Sharma, and Sudhir Sharma was today adjourned till September 29 for further argument by the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash. They had been exempted from personal appearance before the court by the Judge.

It was alleged that on October 20,1996, newsreader Sudhir Sharma read the news that the house of Mr Bhajan Lal had been raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation and some documents were recovered from his house. On October 21, Mr Bhajan Lal condemned the news telecast and filed a defamation case on October 23, against the the owner of the channel, Mr Subhash Chandra, news editor Rajat Sharma and newsreader Sudhir Sharma. In his complaint, Mr Bhajan Lal had alleged that wrong information could harm his political career.

One acquitted

The UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, today acquitted an SAS Nagar resident in a rash driving case.It was alleged that the car of the accused, Gurmukh Singh, had hit the scooter of Ishwar Dutt near the Mohali Barrier on May 5, 1995.

The complainant had alleged that rash driving by Gurmukh Singh was the cause of the accident. The Judge observed that prosecution had failed to examine the witness in the case and therefore the accused was acquitted.

Woman gets bail

The UT District and Sessions Judge granted bail to Gurmeet Kaur in a case of storing adulterated petrol in her farmhouse. The accused was released on furnishing a bond of Rs 10,000 and Surety of same amount.

The accused was arrested by the police for allegedly storing adulterated petrol in the farmhouse of cricketer and actor Yog Raj Singh. She was booked under Sections 420, 285, 286 and 120-B of the IPC. Yog Raj Singh was apprehending arrest in a cheating case registered by the Chandigarh police on June 30 under Sections 420, 286 and 120-B of the IPC.

CULTURE

Majesty of hills brought alive in frames
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 22 — Imagination and reality hang between the magical strokes of the artist’s brush. And even as one wonders over how inspiring nature can get, the fragrance of amaltas and cassia painted in oil on the canvass becomes fresh to the senses.

That is the forte of artist E.K. Raj whose works have the power of transforming one into the actual backdrop, be it the majestic ambience of the Kangra hills, or the serene pathway enveloped by trees in Dharamsala. In all 18 frames, the technique used is interesting, so much so that it compliments the very theme and very successfully so. The artist uses palette knife to give a special texture to the trees which adorn hills. And the laudable part is that each tree gets a different character — right from the colour to the form.

The key inspiration of Raj is the nature. While all the paintings are powerful and overbearing, there is a set of three which especially appeal to the senses. The works are titled “Summer Pride, Fragrant Smile and Spirit of My Soul. The works are so true to life that the fresh fragrance seems to fill the air as you watch them. Says the artist: “These works are inspired from the Kangra landscapes where bougenvillea, amaltaas and cassia exist in harmonious blends. I have used the knife technique to differentiate the trees.”

In each of these three works he uses soothing shades of greens, pinks and mauve. In one of the works, green has deliberately been eliminated to give a romantic effect. The painting exudes an amazing warmth.

The works are titled and vaguely so. But in each title the artist seems to be baring his inspiration behind the work. So where in his work warmth of nature, the artist plays with hues of yellow and orange, in yet another work The Divine Lane, he brings alive the grandeur of heaven. There are other works inspired by mystic tones, like the one where he shows hordes of people playing drums outside temples.

Most of the works are tributes to the nature, though in some the artist is also playing with his own emotions. A specific painting titled, I Burn My Feelings, shows the artist using branches of trees to reflect the inner turmoil. The colours used are also languid to suggest the dull mood.

An important feature of the works is its maturity, apart from the technique which furthers the artist’s theme. On his own part, E.K. Raj is an experienced artist, with about 11 solo shows to his credit and about an equal number of group shows. His collections adorn, apart from the Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar, the Punjab Government Museum, Chandigarh, Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi and JNU.