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May 26, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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PSEB may give grace marks in Class XII exam SAS Nagar, May 25 Ms Harcharanjit Kaur Brar, Controller of Examinations, told Chandigarh Tribune here today that the request for grace marks had been made by physics examinees in particular as they said the paper was “tough” and that part of it was “not from the syllabus”. Examinees at the Mohindra College centre in Patiala had also complained that they were not permitted to use even simple calculators which were allowed under the board rules. In the case of chemistry, the result percentage was low and the grant of grace marks was under consideration. She said on the whole this year’s result were comparatively better than those of last year. She felt that the board’s efforts to check the use of unfair means in the examinations had proved successful and students had become more serious in their studies. Last year a total of 21 ad hoc grace marks were given to all candidates — seven each in physics and chemistry, five in maths and two in biology. However, this year the figure would be much lower. Ms Brar said the tentative date for the declaration of the plus two science results was June 12, but efforts would be made to have these out earlier. The results of all subjects of Classes X and XII were being prepared by computer. However, the results of candidates who had appeared to improve their divisions or were in the compartment category or had an additional or vocational subject were being prepared manually, she added. |
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Computer project for schools
stalled Chandigarh, May 25 Initially expected to start from the current session, the project envisaged to provide top class computer education to city kids, may now be delayed for an indefinite period. Two companies, which were in the fray for the contract, Tata Infotech and
IEC, they reportedly told the Administration that they would not be able to carry out the programme at lowest rates which were originally quoted by the Delhi based Zee interactive learning systems. The company had backed out 10 days ago after quoting a rate of Rs 85 per student. Tata Infotech had quoted Rs 350 while the IEC had quoted Rs 256 per student. In a meeting with Administration officials the companies conveyed that they would not work at the rates quoted by Zee. Now a tender re-evaluation committee would access it , however, inviting fresh bids was the only option, said a source. Everything was going on smoothly till about 10 days ago when the Delhi-based Zee Interactive Learning Systems Ltd expressed its inability to undertake the project. Zee Interactive Learning Systems, which had bagged the contract for school-level courses from (class VI to XII), was issued a letter of intent on March 21 by the UT Administration. Zee said it was difficult to meet the obligations of the contract at Rs 85 per student. |
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Virdi is PU Senate
member Chandigarh, May 25 The election of Mr Virdi had been challenged by Prof Ram Prakash of the Department of Chemistry before the Chancellor, but an order of the Chancellor dated May 8 has dismissed this challenge. Mr Virdi in a press conference held at the university here today stated: “Prof Ram Prakash has simply managed to waste a lot of time of the university but I am thankful to the Chancellor who took a prompt decision on the matter.” |
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Wholesome education in
fun way Chandigarh, May 25 Happiness was writ large on the faces of 25 children who were dancing to the beats of latest numbers. Various activities, including
painting, mask-making, dough and clay modelling, dance and dramatics, being taught to the youngsters promise to provide a creative outlet to their energy. The camp will end with an exhibition. The organiser of the camp, Ms Meenakshi
Shukla, said “the aim of the camp is to make children develop skills and activities which they can’t usually participate due to the burden of studies otherwise”. “We want them to overcome their shyness and inhibition and to become more confident”,
said Meenakshi
. Shristi, one of the participants said,‘‘ I am having a very good time and have also made new friends and learnt new things.’’ |
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Gaps in school transfer policy
discussed Panchkula, May 25 Sources said that the policy under which more powers had been given to the Zila Parishad and Panchayati Raj Institutions by the government with regard to education needed a clarification on certain points. The members pointed out that it was silent on the budgetary proposals and payment of salaries to staff in these schools. They added that the policy did not state the role of the Zila Parishad in this case. It was pointed out that there was no indication of new recruitments in the teaching faculty, especially since the government was the source of all grants-in-aid for these schools. Also, there were no guidelines on the issue of filling the existing vacancies in the schools transferred to the PRIs. According to sources, the members forwarded a clarification on all these points to the government. At the meeting, projects worth Rs 11 lakh in the district were allowed under the employment assurance scheme. |
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Dr Manmohan Singh Chandigarh, May 25 |
HIGH COURT Chandigarh, May 25 The Panchkula police has registered an FIR under Sections 420, 465, 466, 470 and 120-B, IPC. The Additional Sessions Judge, Panchkula, had rejected the anticipatory bail of Dharam Pal on April 24. It was contended by Mr Rameshwar Sharma with Mr Ravi Sharma, advocate, appearing for the petitioner that Dharam Pal had been falsely implicated due to political rivalry. It was further contended that there is not even a shred of legal evidence to implicate the petitioner except political rivalry and the whole case is cooked up to cover up the misdeeds of the authorities as there is no provision of law to make transfers on the basis of notes and the whole thing smacks of inter se rivalry of officials and extra constitutional authority being exercised by those in corridors of power, which shows total non-effectiveness of the authorities and leaders in power. After hearing the counsel for the petitioner, Mr Justice K.S. Kumaran stayed the arrest of the petitioner and issued notice to state of Haryana for August 16. Court order for status quo TNS adds: On a petition filed by the Joint Action Committee — a body of eight residents’ welfare associations — challenging the decision of the Chandigarh Administration to shift Kumhar Colony from Sector 25 to Sector 38, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court here has ordered the maintenance of status quo. Pronouncing the orders in the open court, the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice N.K. Sud, also fixed October 23 as the next date hearing in the case. Challenging the Administration’s decision to shift the Colony to the land adjacent the Chandigarh Housing Board Residential Complex in Sector 38, counsel for the petitioners stated that written statement had not been filed by the respondents. This, he alleged, was done with the view to delay the decision on the writ petition. Chairman of the Joint Action Committee Pankaj Gupta was present in the court during the proceedings. After hearing the arguments, the Bench ordered the maintenance of status quo. Notice of motion issued On a petition filed by retired Superintending Engineer with Punjab Irrigation Works Major Joseph Baksh seeking the initiation of criminal proceedings against former Chief Engineer
J.S. Kalra, Bikramjit Singh, Samir Kumar and Gokal Patnaik, along with former Principal Secretary
R.S. Mann, on the allegations of indulging in perjury, Mr Justice K.S. Kumaran of the High Court has issued notice of motion for July 30.
In his petition, Major Joseph Baksh had earlier stated the “petitioner’s 40-year legal struggle and two verdicts from the Supreme Court and the high court have been frustrated by the respondents through their false and misleading affidavit out of sheer administrative conceit.” Giving details, he added that the respondents had asserted that the petitioner had been treated as permanent from August 10, 1962 but, on the other hand, they affirmed that he had been put below the temporary ones in seniority thereby depriving him of the benefit accorded by the court. Notice to PGI The high court on Friday issued notice of motion to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Union of India and another respondent on a petition filed by Dr. S.K. Garg and 52 other Assistant Professors seeking the implementation of a package granting two advance increments. In their petition before Mr Justice R.S. Mongia and Mr Justice K.C. Gupta, directions for promoting 50 per cent of eligible Additional Professors, with seven years regular service, as Professors under the Assessment Promotion Scheme, without linkage to vacancies, was also sought.Going into the background, counsel for the petitioners stated that revised scales were granted to the faculty members after the recommendations of the Bakshi Commission were rejected by the government. The package, he added, was approved by the PGI’s governing body with the rider that the same may be implemented with prior approval of the Union of India. He further added that steps to grant the package were not taken despite representations by the petitioners claiming non requirement of union of India’s approval. The petitioners, he asserted, had personally met the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and were assured regarding the grant of the packages but nothing had been done till date.
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Consumer courts groan under burgeoning
cases Chandigarh, May 25 Justice is taking a drubbing at the hands of those meant to protect it. The number of pending cases is going up by the day in these courts and the imposed limit of disposal within 90 days seems a far cry. Data available with the UT Consumer Courts revealed that more than 4000 cases are pending in various city consumer courts. Every year at least 2000 cases are registered but the disposal rate is very low. Only one third of the complaints are
disposed of every year. In nutshell, the consumer movement has suffered. Sources revealed that taking serious note of the increase in the number of pending cases in city consumer courts, even the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission had sent a letter to courts seeking explanation for the increase in the number of pending cases. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, a member of a consumer forum said that in Chandigarh consumers are more aware about their rights, therefore the courts are getting a large number of cases every year. He said that burden in the courts could be reduced by increasing the number of employees of judicial officials. A number of complainants and legal experts feel that there is urgent need for revamping the whole system in order to maintain faith in consumer courts. They also stressed the need for simplifying the technical procedures involved in filing complaints in court. A complainant, Mr Pritpal Singh, whose case is pending in a consumer court for more than a year said that many times consumers drop their cases due to time and money wastage in pursuing their case. Consumer activism in most of the country is suffering a great setback, making many redress agencies under the Consumer Protection Act ineffective. Another complainant, Mr Amardeep Singh, whose case is pending for the last two years in a consumer court, said that even for a compensation of a few hundred rupees complainants have to wait for years. The general secretary of the Lawyers of Social Reform, Mr Arunjeev Singh Walia, said the backlog of cases discourages consumers from approaching courts. He added that contrary to the consumer protection rule which says that a complaint should be decided within a period of 90 days a number of
complaints are pending in city consumer courts for more than a year. Another consumer activist K.S. Lamba said that there was a need to change the functioning of consumer courts, otherwise the consumer would lost faith in the courts soon. Tajinderpal Singh, also a consumer activist, said that there should be separate court for every 500 cases and a case should not be adjourned more than once. In most of the cases, consumer courts are not following in basic rule meant for them. |
Textile designs on display Chandigarh, May 25 There was a wide range of hand-painted, block and screen-printed linen, ‘sarees’, ‘dupattas’ and the other garments at the exhibition. Fashion designing and textile designing are among the 21 vocational courses that are being run in various governments schools here. “The exhibition, which is an annual feature of the department, focuses on developing entrepreneurial and marketing skills among students. It exposes students to various business avenues,” said Dr Neelima Dogra of the Vocational Education Department. Career counselling is also part of the exhibition. The exhibition was inaugurated by the UT Home Secretary, Mr R.K. Gujral. |
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Artist honoured Panchkula, May 25 Chairman of the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi and a member of the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, Shiv Singh creates functional sculptures, some of which have become landmarks of the City Beautiful. Shiv Singh’s sculptures are integral features of many a corporate houses of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. Most of his paintings are cosmic abstractions . Many of his canvases are in the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, IIT, Kanpur, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjabi University, Patiala, the State Museum, Shimla and the North Zone Cultural
Centre. |
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When stars shine on the ground Chandigarh, May 25 And when so many stars shine at the same time, it becomes tough to handle each one’s reflection. We, however, began with cornering
Mehnaz, the bright, cheerful singer, known for her power and poise. She has somehow managed to cross the borders and gone international. The best feather in her cap is the duet with international superstars Air Supply from the USA. The song, titled “You are”, is a part of the soundtrack of the English film ‘Split Wide Open’. The video of this song has been superbly shot in the backdrop of Mojave Desert, California. International release of this album is also due any time.
Mehnaz, also famous for the vibrancy of her live performances, spoke to The Tribune about the second love in her life. “I love dancing. I think that is what gives me an edge during performances.” The girl has 200 live shows to her credit. Confident about the future and contented about the past, the vivacious Mehnaz said: “Last year has mostly been about international tours. I performed at the Pavarotti Music Centre in Mostar (Bosnia). The concert was in aid of war-ravaged people.” As we conversed with
Mehnaz, the chirpy Abbey kept watching patiently. When the turn to interact with him came, he zipped: “I am a
Goan. I picked up strains of my melody from my mother.” Abbey’s mother was Goan folk singer. For Abbey, the big break happened only two years back, courtesy playback singer Sukhwinder Singh. He was the one who forwarded Abbey’s recordings. With the first album, Abbey entered the
charbusters. Aye sanam pyar mein tere mujhko jina marna hai...was a splashing hit, which took Abbey places. He has become an active live performer
since. The latest release by Abbey is
Fida. In this one, Abbey tests the lyricist in him. Now about the Punjabi
munda, Mika, who is a rage with the music buffs. Though Mika kept us waiting, it was worthwhile talking to the raw singer, who believes in living and singing in a rash, gypsy style. A singer and a composer par excellence, Mika has scaled heights amazingly fast. And all on his own (no this has nothing to do with big brother
Daler). Mika gave the pop world one hit after the other, beginning with his debut hit ‘Sawan mein lag gayi
aag’, only when he was 24 years of age. Then came the very lyrical ‘Paa sonya ve mere naal aake bhangra’...and finally the hot discotheque number, ‘Ishq brandie chadi
chadi’. He is now working on another album. Coming to veejay
Ranveer. Call him crazy, call him wild. At the end of the day Ranvir Shorey is about wit and madness. That is the secret behind three years of successful veejaying which he has been into. What makes this tall, lean man from Mumbai click till date is the zing which drips from his character. He can be funny, yet deep; foolish yet sensible. These are perhaps the traits which come with experience. And for Ranvir
Shorey, there has been no dearth of experience in the entertainment industry. From the highly adorable pal of Vinay Pathak in Channel V’s stand-up comedy show ‘House Arrest’ to an independent presenter of numerous shows, Ranvir has traversed long distances. Now a days he hosts two shows for the channel — Late Night V and
Jammin. Ranvir is very much a Punjabi in that he was born in Jalandhar. Mumbai happened to him when his family shifted there. And then the saga began. The conversation took off with
Jammin, the show which Ranvir hosts these days and the one he loves doing. Other shows he did include V Sabha, based on politics and the ‘Dating Game Show’. What makes him a great presenter is the fact that he is always in control of himself. “I have to love what I am doing. That is why I don’t just present shows. I end up being a part of them.” Ranvir has also hosted V chat room where he got the great achievers like Mahesh Jethmalini and Mahesh Bhatt talking at their best. What else on his part? “Well, the future is unplanned. It is best like that. Life has been all about beautiful chances. As of now, I will be with the channel as long as they want me around,” smiled
Shorey, who is all set to rock the city on Sunday. |
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