EDUCATION

Nagi seeks clarification
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 3 — The Director Principal-designate of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Prof O.N. Nagi, has sought clarifications on the “change in terms and conditions” in his appointment.

Prof Nagi, who is presently the Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, PGI, was approved for appointment as the Director-Principal, GMCH, on October 30 by the Chandigarh Administration. The Professor has objected to the fact he will not hold the charge of Secretary, Medical Education and Research.

His predecessors, Prof J.S. Chopra and Prof V.K. Kak had, during their tenures as the Director-Principal, GMCH, had also held the charge of the Secretary, Medical Education and Research. However, with barely 15 days to go for Dr Kak’s retirement, he was relieved of his charge, on October 16.

Prof Nagi has contended that the day he was asked to submit his bio-data for the post of Director-Principal, GMCH, it was with the dual charge of Secretary, Medical Education and Research. But the fresh appointment does not say anything of the second aspect. For this he has sought clarifications before accepting his new assignment.

About a month ago the PGI had asked 10 senior Professors from its faculty, to submit their bio-datas for the post of the Director-Principal, GMCH, who would also be the Secretary Medical Education and Research.

Prof Nagi and others applied for it. In a letter addressed to the PGI Director, Prof S.K. Sharma, the UT Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai had requested him to obtain the approval of the Union Health Minister, Dr C.P. Thakur to allow Prof Nagi to move to the GMCH for a deputation of two years following Prof V.K. Kak’s retirement on October 31. The request was forwarded to the Union Health Minister, the very next day, asking for Prof Nagi’s release from the PGI.

‘Include practicals in entrance tests’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 3 — Entrance examinations to the science related courses in colleges should have practicals as important elements because the subject is dependent on the actual work with gadgets and chemicals for professional merits.

These views were expressed by Dr U. S. Kushwaha, convener of the XV convention of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers at Panjab University here today. He said the present pattern of the entrance examinations minus practicals did not ensure entry of best individuals .

Dr Kushwaha said that the IAPT had organised workshops regarding practicals. The one such workshop held in 1995 was important where suggestions for improvement were made.

He said that there was a proposal that 50 per cent of the evaluation for entrance tests should be based on practicals. There was also a suggestion to give weightage to the marks scored in the lower classes.

The pattern for entry to the classes needed to be changed from the existing pattern. It was indeed surprising that no board of studies appeared to have made any observation or initiated any worth mentioning step in this regard, Dr Kushwaha added.

A college teacher from Bhopal said that education in science was meaningless without practicals. Sadly, school and college-level education on this front was largely ignored, he remarked.

Important papers relating to studying and teaching the subject were also circulated. Dr H.R.Anand, TIET, Patiala commented on “Employing computers to enrich physics teaching”; Dr Mahesh Shetti from Wilson College, Mumbai on “Use of Qbasic programmes in physics education”; Dr M. S. Tomar, Dr Hari Singh Gour Vishvavidalaya, Sagar, on “What to teach: consolidation physics” ; and Dr Avtar Singh, Sri Auribindo Marg, NCERT, on “What to teach”.

Also interesting papers were presented on physics in schools, long live lectures, how to teach and excel in physics besides others.

COURTS

Summons to SDM in road-death case
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 3 — Mr Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr Justice P.C. Gupta of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the Ambala SDM, Mr M.L. Sangwan, to be personally present in court on November 30.

The direction has been issued in a petition filed by Mrs Sunita Bansal, a resident of Inder Nagar, Ambala city, and her husband for grant of compensation for the death of their only son, aged 18, in an accident on January 20, 1998.

The petitioner claimed that the accident involved a Gypsy which was with the SDM, at that time. It was alleged that the police of Baldev Nagar (Ambala city) recorded an incorrect version of the accident to save the driver, who was working under the SDM.

The petitioner claimed compensation of Rs 15 lakh with interest for their son, driving a scooter, who was crushed under the Gypsy.

Verdict reserved on poll plea

Mr Justice A.S. Garg of the High Court today reserved judgement in a election petition challengng the election of Mr K.S. Badhana to the Haryana Assembly in February, 1999 from the Samalkha Constituency.

The election of Mr Badhana was challenged by Mr Hari Singh Nalwa, the Congress candidate, who alleged that Mr Badhana had been disqualified because at the time of his nomination as a candidate he had various subsisting contracts with the Haryana Government, for mining of sand etc. in Faridabad district.

The allegation was, however, denied by the petitioner that he was disqualified from contesting the election.

Special Lok Adalat on Nov 9
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 3— Legal Service Day will observe throughout the country on November 9. To commemorate the day, the State Legal Services Authority here will be holding a special Lok Adalat in the District Courts Complex, Sector 17, on November 9, said in a press release here today .

There would be 16 Benches of Lok Adalat dealing with various types of cases such as motor accident claims, matrimonial disputes, rent matters, labour cases, recoveries suit and appeals, bank cases and maintenance cases.

Free legal aid is available to those whose annual income does not exceed Rs 30,000 which limit is now in the process being enhanced to Rs 50,000.In addition to this a member of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe, a woman or child, a person with disability, an Industrial workman, are also eligible for availing of free legal aid (irrespective of the quantum of annual income),which includes expenses for documentation and payment of court fee duty.

Any party to a pending litigation can approach District and Sessions Judge cum Chairman, District Legal Service Authority, Mr H.S Bhalla or Member Secretary of the UT State Legal Services Authority, Dr. Bharat Bhushan Parsoon, for getting his cases settled through Special Lok Adalat to be held on November 9. 

Yog Raj’s bail plea dismissed
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 3 — The UT Judicial Magistrate (Ist class), Mr Pushpinder Singh, today dismissed the bail application moved by Yog Raj Singh, a Test cricketer and Punjabi film actor, in a case of storing adulterated petrol in petrol station.

The defence counsel argued that the co-accused in the case had already been granted bail by the court and petrol sample was not produced before the court yet. The defence counsel further argued that he was falsly in the case and nothing was recovered from the accused. Therefore, Yog Raj could be granted a bail.

Yog Raj was sentenced to 14 days judicial remand on November 2 by the Magistrate in the case.

RI for bank manager

Senior Manager in Punjab and Sind Bank, Kulwant Singh and his wife were sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment by the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, in a forgery case.

The case against the accused had been registered under Sections 420,467,468,471,341,448 and 120-b of the IPC on March 24,1994 in Sector 39, police station. The complainant, Mr B.S. Chakkal, had alleged that Kulwant Singh and his wife, Harjit Kaur, had conspired to took the possession of his house in a deceitful manner and even meant to the extened of forging the documents.

The accused Kulwant Singh and his wife Harjit Kaur were sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 1000.

Hotel manager sentenced

The General Manager of Hotel Regency, Ranbir Arya, was sentenced to six months’ rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 1000 by the UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Sant Parkash, in a food adulteration case.

It was alleged that Food Inspector had inspected the premises of the hotel, the accused Ranbir Arya was present there and having in his possession about 5 kg of tomato soup. The sample had been taken and sent to public analyst. As per report the contents of sample was coloured with S.S.Y. coaltar dye.

Balraj, another accused in the case, was also sentenced to six months’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1000.