Primary school promotion rules changed
By Sarbjit Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 6 — “All pass”. No more will this order be in operation in government primary schools in Punjab.

Teachers in the government primary schools have been told to revert to the “pass-and-fail” criterion which was in force before 1972. Under this, only those who passed the prescribed test would be eligible for promotion to the next class. In 1972 the Punjab Government had issued an order to all government schools not to declare any student fail up to the fifth standard.

Mr Tota Singh, Punjab Education Minister, who had got the 1972 order dropped told TNS here today that the order was a retrograde step, which played havoc with basic education, especially in the rural areas. There was no accountability for the results. Because of the weak foundation at the primary level, students, by and large, started resorting to copying en masse at the middle and secondary levels to pass the examination.

Now, the examination system at the primary level was under the process of standardisation. The conducting of the examination on a uniform pattern at the fifth class level in the entire state had been handed over to the State Education Council for Research and Training (SECRT). Even in the case of junior classes, teachers had been told to conduct a formal examination and promote only those students who cleared the examination, which should be a simple exercise. There are over five lakh students on the rolls in the fifth standard in the government schools.

The “performance card”, which had been introduced at the middle and secondary levels, would also be introduced at the primary level from the next academic session. Teachers in middle and secondary schools had been told to maintain the performance card of each student. They were given a cut-off date of September 30 to do this.

Mr Tota Singh said that recently a card inspection campaign was held and those heads of schools who had not implemented the card system were pulled up by the authorities concerned.

The teachers concerned had been told to record the overall performance of each student, including the marks secured in the house tests (which were to the held in September and December) attendance, general conduct, etc, in the card. After every house test, these cards should be got signed from the parents of the students concerned. This had been done just to involve the parents in the process of education of their wards. At present the examinations of the eighth, 10th and 12th classes were conducted by the Punjab School Education Board.

Talking about the reforms initiated in the examination system at the board level, Mr Tota Singh said the introduction of a set of five question papers had proved successful in eliminating the menace of copying in the board examinations. The board had been told to stick to this system. Under this system, while sitting at the examination centre in roll number order, student “A” got a different question paper from student “B” and student “C” got a different question paper from “B”. The question paper given to “A” was made available to student “F” leaving four students with different question papers. Mr Tota Singh said he himself had prepared a seating pattern to be followed at the examination centres.

Mr Tota Singh said that earlier every year the question papers of important subjects used to be leaked but with the introduction of the five-set question paper system, this problem had been tackled. Only those students cleared the examination who had thoroughly studied the subjects, he added.

Nearly 150 superintendents and supervisors, whose reputation had been sullied over the years as they had allegedly helped students copy in the annual examinations, had been blacklisted. They would never be posted on examination duty. In each flying squad, one ex-serviceman of the rank of subedar or lieutenant had been included.

Earlier, there were complaints relating to the tampering with of answersheets on the way back to the board’s head office from the examination centres by train. To eliminate such chances, the board had started hiring trucks to collect the answersheets from all districts. The answersheet collection centres had been named. The supervisory staff were supposed to deposit the answersheets within a stipulated time after the examination was over. From the collection centres, the answersheets were transported in trucks to the board’s head office.

Mr Tota Singh said the board saved about Rs 15 lakh annually by transporting the answersheets through trucks instead of the Railways. During the annual examinations, a control room was set up at SAS Nagar where anyone could give information about copying at any examination centre. A flying squad was immediately sent to such a place.

Mr Tota Singh said that at his residence, an attendant remained on round-the-clock duty to receive complaints pertaining to any deficiency in the conducting of examinations. Earlier, examination centres used to be set up till the last minute but now a cut-off date had been fixed after which no request for setting up an examination centre was entertained. Even MLAs and MPs were told that no request for setting up examination centres in their respective areas would be entertained after November 6. Over 11 lakh students appear in the middle, matriculation and plus two examinations at about 2,500 examination centres in the state.

PSEB told to withhold notification on posts
From Tribune Reporters

PATIALA, Dec 6 — Mr Sikander Singh Malooka, Power Minister, has directed the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) management to put on hold the notification regarding the abolition of nearly 7,000 posts — an issue which had been hanging fire between the board management and various trade unions for the past several months.

In a press note, Mr Surinder Singh, President, PSEB Employees Federation, said a deputation of the federation met the minister and he had assured it that the matter had been discussed with the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, after which the decision to withhold the notification was taken. The minister also assured it that the board would not be dissolved and that there was no move to privaties the board.

The federation had chalked out a programme against the Electricity Act, 2000, which would be submitted in the ongoing session of Parliament. The federation has decided to hold rallies at subdivisions and divisions all over the state from December 8 to 11. A token strike will be held on December 12.

Other demands like benefit of ad hoc service, conveyance allowance to handicapped persons above the basic grade of Rs 5,700 and allowance to employees working at hydel power stations on a par with those working at thermal stations were also discussed with the minister.

Bathinda: The local Council of Junior Engineers (CJE) of the Punjab State Electricity Board has demanded the removal of anomalies in the pay scales of junior engineers.

Mr Surinder Pal Singh, district president, CJE, said in a statement issued here today that the new pay scales released by the board had created anomalies. He said the pay of the JEs was the same as that of circle superintendents, circle accountants and head dreaftsmen ever since 1968, but the new scales had created anomalies in the pay scales of the junior engineers. He said all JEs would boycott stores of the board and would not withdraw any equipment from the same till December 11.

Ludhiana: The PSEB Engineers Association resorted to work-to-rule on Tuesday for two days, which will be followed by protest meetings throughout the state. There will be walk-out action by all engineers for two hours on December 7, followed by a token strike on December 12.

Police station or gurdwara?
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB Dec 6 — The dome-shaped design of a police station in the city of gurdwaras leads many newcomers to bow before it while passing by mistaking it to be yet another holy place.

The sentry standing outside the police station reciprocates the gesture thinking that the greeting is meant for him. Thus creating a comedy of errors.

The new building of the police station was constructed few yards away from Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib as a part of tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa Panth. The old police station was shifted from old congested place to the main Anandpur Sahib-Nangal road with a new look. The Punjab Police Corporation had built the new building with a cost of Rs 89 lakh.

Since the domes have been constructed on police station, hospital and railway station on the pattern of Sikh architecture here, many Sikh intellectuals have raised serious objections to it.

Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, a former SGPC secretary, said the gurdwara architecture could not be used for police station or railway station. He said the police station was visited by many ‘anti social elements’ every day and hence should be shifted to a far away place. Seized illicit liquor, opium and drugs were also kept in the police station.

Some Sikh intellectuals say that ‘gurdwara type dome could be built at a place where the Holy Guru Granth Sahib is placed. Many residents of the holy city have also demanded the demolition of the dome on police station. They say that any casual visitor to the city could mistake it for a religious place.

Low price of potatoes hits growers
Tribune News Service

RAMPURAPHUL, Dec 6 — The unprecedented low price of potato prevailing in the markets has forced the growers to leave the entire stock of crop in the cold stores as they have been finding it difficult to arrange the rent amount which is to be paid to the owners of the cold stores.

Growers of the region, who have stored lakhs of potatoes bags in the cold stores have now turned their faces away from their produce and not turning up to lift their stocks to sell it off in the markets.

Apart from it, some of the growers who tried to save themselves from the huge expenses for storing the produce have unloaded and dumped hundreds of bags of potato on secluded places and along roadsides.

Mr Manohar Lal, president, local subzi mandi, while talking to TNS said there was no buyer of the potato and presently the price prevailing in the market was very low and hence causing huge losses to the growers.

Mr Atma Singh, a potato grower of Kararsinghwala village, said he had left 5,000 bags of potato in the cold store and had also urged its owner to get the amount of rent after selling off the entire stock.

Mr Buta Singh, another farmer of the same village, who had left 700 bags, said if they lift their stock from the cold stores they would have to pay the rent for storing the produce which could not be arranged by selling off the produce at the prevailing prices. He added that transportation charges were very high and they would suffer loss if they would transport the potatoes to other states.

Huge quantity of potatoes could be seen along the roadsides on the Bathinda-Barnala, Rampuraphul-Maur and Rampuraphul-Solbrah roads.

Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhillon, a leading potato grower of the region and former Akali minister, pointed out that on an average a farmer had spent Rs 12,000 per acre on sowing and harvesting the potato crop. The rent of cold stores and transportation charges both would put an extra burden on the potato growers who were already reeling under heavy debts.

At present the prevailing price of potato was ranging between Rs 20 to Rs 40 per bag while the rent of cold store per season was Rs 50 per bag alone, he added.

Most of the growers of the region have been caught in the vicious circle as they have raised loans on exorbitant rate of interests to arrange money for sowing the potato crop. Resentment also prevailed among the growers against the apathetic attitude of the authorities concerned.

Mr Gurkewal Singh Dhillon, Horticulture Development Officer (HDO), when contacted, said low price of the potato crop was due to the absence of any minimum support price (MSP) announced by the Punjab Government. Apart from it, there was no policy to export the potato to foreign countries.

He pointed out that there was overproduction of potato in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh this year and it had brought the demand of Punjab potato to a record low. Earlier, Punjab farmers used to sell their crop in these two states.

Mr Dhillon demanded that the Punjab Government should come forward to rescue the potato growers out of this mess. He said if the Punjab Government did not take any steps in this regard, the potato growers would face economic disaster.

Punjab may amend revenue Act
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, Dec 6 — The Punjab Government is planning to make amendments to the State Revenue Act, 1849, to decrease the litigation in revenue courts.

While addressing a press conference here today, the Punjab Revenue Minister, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, said that large-scale amendments to the laws related to the division of immovable properties would be carried out. He added that such cases would be settled in a fixed time period and any party to the case would have only one right of appeal before the collector of the district.

He added that the decision of the collector in these cases would be final. Apart from it, the laws related to will would be amended to give recognition to those wills which had been registered in the office of sub-registrar with the photo of that person who had got his will registered.

The Punjab Government had also been thinking of carrying out an amendment for waiving off the fee for those elderly people who want to transfer their property to their children. Only registration fee would be charged from such persons.

He said that the Punjab Government had also contemplated amending the revenue laws to make it mandatory that mutations would be verified and certified within three months from the date of application made in this regard by any person. He added that any registrar who was found guilty of violating this provision would be liable for severe punishment.

Mr Sekhwan pointed out that the Punjab Government had registered a significant increase in the amount which it had been getting from stamp duty and fee for registration of mutation.

The minister said that the Punjab Government at the moment had no proposal to change the boundaries of any district, tehsil, sub-division and sub-tehsil of the state. He added that the Punjab Government could consider any such change on the demand of people after the completion of the ongoing census in the state.

Mr Sekhwan said that the Punjab Government had urged the Central Government to implement crop insurance scheme in the state and it was ready to contribute its share. He added that in certain cases, the state government could not compensate the farmers where they had suffered losses due to damage caused to their crops by natural factor.

COMMUNITY

Consumers get hefty electricity bills
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Dec 6 — Although the Punjab State Electricity Board does not provide efficient service to the consumers, yet it is charging exorbitant tariff arbitrarily from honest consumers.

Almost a year ago, the board called upon the consumers to apply for the enhancement of their load in the name of regularisation. They were allured on the pretext that heavy transformers will be installed, keeping in view the total load of mohallas and streets to ensure uninterrupted supply and proper voltage.

According to the Consumer Rights Protection Society now the consumers are issued heavy bills on the basis of their load despite the fact that they consume minimum electricity.

They are forced to pay electricity bills through their nose, especially if the connection is commercial one. Mr Vijay Kumar a/c no De 31/019 BL paid Rs 853 for 217 units on October 10 this year and now he has been issued bill for Rs 1067 for the consumption of 189 units only. The bill is prepared at the flat rate of Rs 125 per cent kw or part thereof. Why consumer has been overcharged Rs 6 in this bill is intriguing and dealing hand has no explanation for this.

The scene in front of the windows in the office of board, at Batala Road, here where the bills are paid, is equally disgusting. People waste hours together in the hope of depositing their bills. There are four windows but only three clerks are generally put on duty to receive the cash.

Mr Baldev Raj Pareenja, general secretary, Consumer Rights Protection Society says there is no reservation for senior citizens, infirm and disabled.

It is alleged that cash collecting officials deliberately go slow so as to force the people to go to public service centres. The officials are reputed to receive the payment of bills from such centres at odd hours for a consideration.

Fly ash polluting air: MSC
From Our Correspondent

BATHINDA, Dec 6 — The district unit of the Medical Service Centre (MSC) has demanded that the electro static pracipitator (ESP) unit of the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant here should be repaired immediately to prevent further deterioration of the air quality of the city.

Dr Harminder Singh, convener of the centre, in a statement issued here yesterday said the ESP units of the thermal plant were out of order for the past sometime and with the result, the fly ash generated by the plant was released into the air unchecked. He said the fly ash generated in the plant was just dumped in the vicinity of the plant and was kept wet, to be used later for the manufacturing of cement, but the cement plant has not started functioning as yet. Thereby the fly ash was a source of pollution, he added.

The quantity of the fly ash released in air by the plant was so large that it was leading to alarming rise in cases of eye disease, tuberculosis and other allergic reactions of the skin among inhabitants of the city, he alleged. He said even plant and animals were being affected.

Seminar on promoting social dialogue
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 6 — A national seminar on “Promoting social dialogue in India” was inaugurated by the Governor, Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), here today.

It has been organised by the International Labour Organisation and the Punjab Government with the objective of identifying issues relating to the promotion of social dialogue, the role of trade unions and governments, employers and organisations in promoting healthy industrial relations and to find workable solutions to industrial problems.

General Jacob highlighted the importance of social dialogue. The social dimensions of globalisation and the consequent problems and demands at work had serious implications for industrial relations. The channels of social dialogue could improve policies on industrial relations and help conflict resolution, which were sine qua non for the development of the economy of the country, he added.

The Punjab Labour and Employment Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, was also present.

In his welcome address, Mr A.S. Oberai, Director, ILO South-Asia Multidisciplinary Advisory Team, New Delhi, dwelt on the theme of the seminar. He said social dialogue reflected the basic ILO constitutional principal of tripartism enshrined in Convention No. 144 and was thus at the core of ILO action.

Mr I.P. Anand, member, ILO Governing Body, referred to the declaration on the fundamental principles and rights at work as the precondition to any social dialogue.

Ms Katherine A. Hagen, Executive Director, Social Dialogue Sector, ILO, Geneva, spoke on the strategy to improve the system of tripartism — a basic principle of the ILO — through the process of social dialogue. She said there was a great need to bring democracy in the workplace.

Mr Keshvabhai Thakkar of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, was of the view that social dialogue in India was already prevalent in the form of national and regional boards. But it had not borne fruit.

Mr Brent Wilton, Principal Advisor, International Organisation of employers, Geneva, said the process of social dialogue should be re-examined in the context of changes in the economic policies of countries.

The seminar will have 10 technical sessions, according to a press release.

Medicine to ‘cure’ diabetes
From Parmod Bharti

NAWANSHAHR: Mr Baldev Nayyar, a resident of Banga town, claims to have prepared a herbal medicine to cure diabetes.

He says that in 1994 he had treated his wife, who was a patient of diabetes, with his medicine. Since then he has been organising diabetes awareness and detection camps and treating patients free of cost.

A retired government officer and senior Lions Club member, Mr Nayyar has now been made District Chairman (Diabetes Awareness) by Mr Kuldip Singh, District Governor, Lions Club (District 321-D).

Mr Nayyar attributes the rapid spread of diabetes today to “hurry, worry and curry”. He says various medicines for diabetes disturb the metabolism of the body. “If we want to control, manage and cure diabetes, we should avoid hurry and worry and adhere to proper eating habits”.

He says that his medicine is based on common items like bitter gourd, tulsi, neem, jamun, anar, amla, black pepper, almond, methi, turmeric, gur and chiraita. He has prepared tablets and gives these free of cost to patients.

Mr Nayyar says that karela (bitter gourd) is the best medicine for treating this disease.

As District Chairman (Diabetes Awareness) of the club, Mr Nayyar has published a number of pamphlets to create awareness among the masses about diabetes.

Mr Nayyar says that he has been organising two diabetes awareness-cum-detection camps every year since 1994. The camps have been held in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and other areas. So far, he claims to have cured more than 200 patients with his medicine.

CITU to organise rallies from Dec 9
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, Dec 6 — The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has decided to organise rallies throughout the state from December 9 to December 15 to mobilise the workers against the alleged indifferent attitude of the Punjab Government towards their demands.

Mr Sat Pal Bharti, President of CITU, while addressing the gathering at a state-level rally held here on December 3 alleged that state government had failed to accept their demands like revision of minimum wages to Rs 3,500 per month, immediate revival of 3,500 closed factories, including public sector units in spinning and paper sectors and proper implementation of the Labour Laws.

Though closure of around 3,000 brick kilns due to their indefinite strike has generated huge profits for its owners through black marketing of the bricks, it had also brought labourers on the roads, Mr Bharti alleged.

PSEB employees stage dharna
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 6 — The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Employees Struggle Committee organised a day-long dharna outside the main gate of the PSEB headquarters here today in which more than 15,000 employees took part.

In a press release, the committe said that the board management with the help of the police tried to sabotage the dharna in which people from all over the state participated.

The dharna was held to protest against the victimisation of trade union leaders by the board, abolition of nearly 7,000 posts at various levels and management's policy to declare surplus the staff of the board.

Mr H.S. Manhas, convener, and Mr Joginder Singh, co-convenere, were among the leaders who addressed the workers.

10 PSEB employees injured in accident
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 6 — Ten employees of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB ), coming to participate in a state-level employees' rally here from Morinda, were injured when the truck they were riding collided with a bus near Jakhwali on the Patiala-Sirhind road, about 10 km from here, this afternoon.

The injured have been admitted to Government Rajindra Hospital here. Doctors attending on them said three of the victims were in a serious condition.

The names of the injured employees are Baljinder Singh, Bhujinder Singh, Shanti Swarup, Gurmukh Singh, Makhan Singh, Randhir Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Amarjit Singh, Somnath and Bhagat Singh.

Non-bailable warrants in hijacking case
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 6 — A local court has issued non-bailable warrants against seven Pakistani nationals for their alleged role in the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane from Kathmandu in December last year.

Additional Sessions Judge Sabina issued warrants against Pakistani nationals, Ibrahim Akhtar, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Shahid Sayeed, Zahoor Ibrahim, Shakir, alias Rajesh, Gopal Verma, Abdul Rauf and Yusuf Azhar.

Earlier also warrants had been issued against the seven Pakistani nationals on November 20. Meanwhile, the next date of hearing in the hijacking case has been fixed for February 9. All the three accused presently in judicial custody, Abdul Latif, Yusuf Nepali and Dalip Bhujal, were produced in the court today.

Counsel for the accused Brijinder Singh Sodhi disclosed that he would contest any attempt by the Indian Airlines to sell off the plane used in the hijacking to a foreign company as planned by it. He said the plane was the case property and was needed during the proceedings of the case.

Tributes paid to Dr Ambedkar
From Tribune Reporters

KAPURTHALA: Mr Mohan Lal, Higher Education Minister, said the construction of Dr ambedkar Bhavan being built at a cost of Rs 1 crore has started again. Addressing a meeting of the District Planning and Development Board here yesterday, the minister said the building would be completed by the end of this month. All offices concerning the welfare of the Scheduled Castes would be housed in the bhavan.

SANGRUR: Lauding the services of Dr Ambedkar for the welfare of the Dalits, Mr Baldev Raj Chawla, Health Minister, Punjab, today called upon the Dalits to pledge for the setting up of a drug-free society. Mr Chawla was presiding over a function organised by the district unit of the BJP Dalit Morcha at the local Ram Lila ground here today. The morcha observed the death anniversary of Dr Ambedkar as “Nirman divas”.

District SAD chief removed
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 6 — A virtual revolt is brewing against the President of the Youth Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, as one of his lieutenants, Mr Lakhbir Singh Lot, has been removed from one post of the President of the District Shiromani Akali Dal at a meeting held by the working committee of the SAD (rural).

Mr Jagminder Singh Sawajpur has been appointed new President of the District SAD (rural).

Punjab IMA seeks security for doctor
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Dec 6 — The state working committee of the Indian Medical Association, (IMA) has taken exception to the threat given to Dr Ashwani Goyal, secretary of the association, by certain unregistered medical practitioners. Dr Raman Aggarwal, chairman, medical action committee-cum-legal cell, IMA, Punjab, in a press note alleged that the persons had threatened Dr Goyal to either withdraw a case against unauthorised medical practitioners from the Punjab and Haryana High Court or face dire consequences. Dr R.C. Garg, senior vice-president, IMA, Punjab, demanded adequate security for Dr Goyal and stern action against the miscreants.

Death anniversary

KAPURTHALA, Dec 6 (FOC) — The first death anniversary of Jugal Mahajan, general secretary of the Punjab BJP, was observed at the local Mandi Janj Ghar on Tuesday. A function was also organised in his memory. The Local Bodies Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, announced allotment of a plot from the Improvement Trust for raising a memorial in the memory of Jugal Mahajan.

ADMINISTRATION

Walia senior vice-president of Phagwara MC
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Dec 6 — Mr Gurbachan Singh Walia was today elected senior vice-president of the local Municipal Council by getting 10 votes while his rival Ram Saroop Arora became junior vice-president by getting eight votes.

Local SDM Pritam Singh acted as the observer and representative of Deputy Commissioner in the much-awaited poll held after two years and eight months.

The post had fallen vacant in March 1998 after the tenure of Avtar Singh Saini as vice-president had ended. Mr Walia belong to the Congress and Mr Arora to the BJP.

The proceedings were presided over by council chairman K.L. Gabha.

While Congress councillor Malkiat Singh Raghotra abstained, two councillors belonging to the party C.L. Suman and Charanjit Mittal are abroad.

Two councillors Karam Singh and Rajnish Aerie had died long since.

In the 23-member council, the Congress enjoys clear cut majority but its infighting enabled the minority BJP to grab the post of the vice-president.

CRIME

Man held for selling fake degrees
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, Dec 6 — The police yesterday arrested Gurmail Singh of Ladhupur in Batala subdivision for allegedly selling fake BA, B.Sc and B.Ed. degrees of Bihar and Varanasi universities. He was running a coaching centre.

According to Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, the suspect is a kingpin of a gang of cheats involved in selling fake degrees at prices ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 32,000. Another member of the gang who is the sister of the suspect has been identified as Dalwinder Kaur and had been arrested in May. A case has been registered against them.

The SSP said during preliminary interrogation, she said her brother was running coaching centres in Amritsar and Batala and had been selling fake degrees.

The accused confessed to forging degrees by using fake stamps of officials of Maghad and Varanasi universities.

He said some of those who had purchased fake degrees from him had got employment in various government departments.

Dairy shop owner robbed of 2 lakh
From Our Correspondent

MALERKOTLA, Dec 6 — Najeer Mohammed was allegedly robbed of Rs 2 lakh by two persons at his dairy shop on the College road here today. According to an FIR lodged with the police, two unidentified youths broke open the lock of the dicky of his scooter and took away the bag containing the cash.

Najeer Mohammed has withdrawn the cash from Punjab National Bank. While one of them came to his shop for purchasing milk, the other broke open the lock of the dicky. They fled the scene with the cash. A case has been registered.

Man arrested for poisoning wife
From Our Correspondent

MALERKOTLA, Dec 6 — The police has arrested Mohammed Rafique of Takhar Kalan village for allegedly poisoning his wife Rukhsana to death. This was disclosed by DSP Kulshinder Singh while talking to mediapersons here today.

According to information, Mohammed Khalil, father of the deceased, lodged a complaint yesterday that his daughter Rukhsana was allegedly poisoned to death by her in-laws on Monday for not bringing enough dowry. A case under Sections 304B, 498A, and 34 of the IPC has been registered.

EDUCATION

Students join agitating teachers
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, Dec 6 — Hundreds of students joined agitating teachers of the local RSD College who boycotted classes for the second consecutive day in protest against the alleged vindictive attitude of the college management.

According to Prof N.L. Gargi, Secretary of the teachers’ union, the union had earlier passed a series of resolutions in support of their demands but the management failed to take any cognisance of them.

The union condemned the college authorities for appointing former principal Amrik Arora as Director-cum-Administrator of the college against whom an inquiry had been pending for alleged misappropriation of funds.

The teachers wore black badges today, raised slogans in front of the principal’s office to press for their demands which include deduction of CPF at the rate of 10 per cent on the total salary as per the university calendar, ADA instalments with arrears, benefits to lecturers in senior selection grade as per the DPI’s letter, appointment of a regular principal and the setting up of a committee to bring transparency in the construction going on in the college.

The students had gone on an indefinite strike early this year, demanding inquiry against the then principal, Mr Arora and the situation had worsened to an extent that the SDM and the DSP (City) had to intervene.

The union alleged that despite repeated requests, the management had failed to take any action and institute an inquiry into the charges.

Prof J.R. Prashar, president of the district unit of the PCCTU, said Mr Arora should not be allowed to associate himself with the college affairs in any capacity till he was absolved of the charges levelled against him.

The management today released a statement, stating that the issues raised by the union had earlier been sorted out amicably and asked teachers not to go on strike. The management said the college had not received grant-in-aid for the past five months but Rs 62 lakh had been paid to the staff on account of salary and DA arrears amounting to Rs 5,36,213 from its own resources.

Theatre students ask for new productions
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Dec 6 — Students of the Theatre Department of Punjabi University have several complaints against the department. They say, ‘‘Their is lack of interest among teachers and we do not have any original productions. The emphasis is on theory which is of no use to professional artists or even back stage workers.’’

Tapish, produced by Narindra Behl, was an original production by the department after five years, they said.

‘‘A person does not learn acting by performing the same thing again and again. But in this department, the same production is displayed over and over. The better thing would be to finish one production after giving some shows and begin another project after a break of a week or so", said a senior student, who did not want to reveal his name.

Mr Gurcharan Singh, head of the department, when contacted, said, ‘‘The productions never get old and to work on classics is an honour. We do these exercises with our students and for the newcomers every production is new."

‘‘Tughlak has been produced by the National School of Drama several times during the past many years,’’ says Mr Gambhir of the same department. He adds that this was their lab work just like experiments conducted by any other department. They taught students through these productions and might or might not work on new projects. The purpose was to teach the students.

The sources, however, reveal that on an average the department receives Rs 60,000 for productions and all of this is not utilised by the department. The students demand more practical work and training rather than wasting time on repeating old productions.

Teachers to boycott work on Dec 11
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, Dec 6 — Teachers of Phagwara, Banga, Nawanshahr, Garhshankar, Mahilpur, Hoshiarpur, Hariyana and Bulowal colleges will go on mass leave on December 11. They will converge at R.K. Arya College, Nawanshahr, for a rally-cum-protest march to register their resentment against the non-implementation of the pension-cum-gratuity scheme for which the Punjab Government had issued a notification in 1999.

Stating this here yesterday, Prof Charanjit Chawla, general secretary, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, said teachers of these colleges would boycott work.

Rallyists will also highlight the blocking of Rs 10.2 crore as salary grant for January and February by the Finance Department, he said.

Medical interns’ protest against fee
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Dec 6 — The medical intern doctors coming from outside the state of Punjab to complete their year- long mandatory internship at the local Government Medical College have been caught in a piquant situation as they have been told by the authorities to pay Rs 20,000 if they want to have their “completion certificates”.

In a signed statement, all students doing their internship here have claimed that never before have the authorities demanded money from students coming from government medical colleges from outside the state, and that this was an unprecedented step. The interns, in a written statement, claimed that the normal practice under the Medical Council of India (MCI) rules was that this amount was to be taken from only those students who had come from private medical colleges to do their internship, and not from those students who had come from government medical colleges outside the state.

The interns said that they had followed the guidelines of the MCI relating to their stay here which included neither any stipend nor accommodation. Moreover, they claimed that the demand put forth by the authorities to pay such an amount to lay claim to their “completion certificates” was totally unjustified in nature.

Dr Ravinder Singh, Principal of the medical college, said that he was in touch with the Director of the Medical Research and Education (DRME) on this issue.