EDUCATION

Aulakh’s appointment hasn’t pleased all
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Jan 29 — As Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh takes over the charge of the new Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), several eyebrows are being raised over his appointment.

Some of the senior scientists in the university have claimed that proper procedure had not been followed in his appointment. A senior professor claimed that according to the University Act a search committee had to be constituted for recommending at least three names for the post of VC. And final choice had to be made by the Governor. But no such procedure was followed in the case of Dr Aulakh.

On the other hand, Dr Aulakh held that his appointment was strictly according to the statutes of the university. He pointed out, since 1966 no search committee had ever been constituted for recommending the names for the post of the VC. He said, his appointment was made by the Board of Management of PAU after a unanimous decision. Clarifying further, he said,‘‘in case there is any difference of opinion within the BoM on the appointment of the VC, only then the matter is referred to the Governor’’.

The new VC said, he was aware of the people who were opposed to his appointment due to certain grievances. However, he stressed, he would ensure that the grievances were redressed.‘‘I understand that some of my colleagues have certain grudges and grievances against me. I will try to redress all these grievances and ensure that we work as a team’’, he disclosed to the TNS in a frank admission.

He also stressed the need for mutual understanding among all his colleagues, particularly when PAU had a crucial role to play in the wake of changing agro-economic scenario.

Critics of Dr Aulakh have been claiming that his appointment as VC was a foregone conclusion given the influence he enjoyed in the power circles. They pointed out, the post of the Pro-Vice- Chancellor was specially created by the BOM on November 9, 1999 to accommodate him although there is no such post in the university act. In fact PAU is said to be the only agricultural university in the country where a PVC was appointed.

Dr Aulakh has also served as VC during his predecessor Dr G. S Kalkat's absence. He took charge as the VC on January 25, after the BoM accepted the resignation of Dr Kalkat. 

School’s CBSE affiliation false?
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Jan 29 — Mr Jaspal Singh Saini, a resident of Sardar Nagar here, has lodged a complaint with the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum against a school in New Shiv Puri alleging that the school is falsely claiming to be affiliated to the CBSE. He alleged that the school spoiled two years of her daughter, Jasbir Kaur.

The complainant stated that her daughter was studying in the school from Class nursery onwards. The school conducted the Class VIII examination in March 1999 in which she was promoted to Class IX. Jasbir appeared in the final examinations of Class IX in March 2000 in which she was declared fail.

He further stated that when he went to collect the transfer certificate from the school the Principal told him to collect it from the other school in Barewal as Principal of the school claimed it to be the branch of the school. The other school issued the transfer certificate although the complainant’s daughter was not studying there.

The complainant tried in several schools to get his daughter admitted in Class IX but he was refused as the child should have Class VIII pass certificate of the CBSE-affiliated school or of the Punjab School Education Board.

The complainant stated that his daughter would have to pass Class VIII examination from the PSEB as private education. He alleged that the school was responsible for spoiling two years of her daughter.

The complainant has demanded a compensation of Rs 5 lakh and the school should be closed till it is not affiliated to the CBSE or PSEB.

1600 students participate in painting contest 
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Jan 29 — Nearly 1,600 school students participated in a painting contest organised by a Hindi daily at Nehru Rose Garden here yesterday.

The students were divided into three groups — sub-junior group with students from Classes II and III, junior group with students from Classes IV to VII and senior wing with students from Classes VIII to X. The themes of painting for the first two groups were ‘Grow trees and save lives’ and ‘Pollution and traffic’. The participants of senior group had the liberty to choose a topic for themselves. In the sub-junior group, Gurleen Kaur of Class III from Guru Nanak Public School stood first. Second prize went to Surinderjit Kaur of Class III from the same school. Karan Thukral of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, was declared third.

In the junior group, Tusheer of Class V from DAV Public School clinched the first prize, followed by Anubha Gupta of Class IV from Kundan Vidya Mandir, city branch, and Anubhuti Malhotra of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar.

Kuldip Singh of Class X from GGN Public School was declared first in the senior group, Roop Khangura of Class VIII of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School stood second and Mehak Ahuja of Kundan Vidya Mandir secured third position.

HEALTH

Reinstatement of employees resented
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Jan 29 — Various employees' unions of the Health Department have opposed the reinstatement of some charge-sheeted employees by the government. In a joint press conference held here today, the union leaders alleged that the government was promoting corruption.

Representatives of the Punjab Health Department Subordinate Offices Clerical Association, the PCMS Doctors Association, the Paramedical Coordination Committee, the Paramedical Employees Association, Drivers and Technical Staff Association, the Employees Association of the Anti Larva Wing Ludhiana and the Class IV Employees Union were present at the press conference.

The union leaders who included Mr Sukhwinder Singh alleged that the state government had once again reinstated a Chief Pharmacist, who had been found guilty in a scandal involving crores of rupees.