The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

SPORTS

Sports quota criteria hardly remain same
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, July 22
The genuine sportspersons who toil and sweat hard on the ground might have a slippery field this year in the admission to the various medical, dental and other related colleges in the state of Punjab on the basis of Pre-Medical Entrance test held early this month. Ever since the PMET started around two decades back, in the seats meant for the sportspersons, the eligibility criteria kept on changing to suit the select students.

Various sportspersons disclosed that once even the total eligibility criteria was totally waived and just by appearing in the PMET, the sportspersons were admitted based on their achievements. Sources told that this year total 47 sportspersons had applied for just one per cent seat reserved for admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Nursing courses.

Last year, the qualifying marks were fixed at 35 per cent in PMET and rest based on sports achievements. But this year sources alleged that no mention was made about qualifying marks for a sportsperson and it was silent on the eligibility criteria for a sportsperson. It was only when the sportspersons who secured 35 per cent and more marks went to submit their forms that they were refused by the authorities on the condition that only those with 50 per cent and more marks could be allowed to apply against sports seats.

Though for other reserved categories, such as SC, ST and other backward classes, the marks obtained in physics, chemistry and biology were taken together in competitive examinations be 40 per cent. Annexure ‘A’ of the General Conditions dated June 25, 2001 issued by N.S. Rattan, Principal Secretary to the Government of Punjab, Department of Medical Education and Research, had no mention of marks for sportspersons. It was presumed by these sportspersons that eligibility would be the same as was applicable last year.

These sportspersons were of the view that with above conditions, the outstanding sportspersons would be deprived of the benefits and when they had qualified the examinations, why was their sports merit not being given preference. They opined that if at all these new rules were to be formulated, then they should have been apprised well in advance.

Chandigarh bids for volleyball meet
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh, July 22
Chandigarh has made a bid for organising the Junior National Volleyball Championships-2001 later this year. This was disclosed by Mr Vijay Pal Singh, who returned this evening after attending the annual general meeting-cum-elections of the Volleyball Federation of India held at Chennai on Friday.

Mr Vijay Pal, who was also re-elected as vice-president of the federation for another term of four years, said two units had made the bid for hosting the junior meet — one was West Bengal and other Chandigarh. He said but in all probability Chandigarh will get the nod for this national meet and they have proposed January 2002 for hosting the event.

He disclosed that Mr B.S. Adityan was also re-elected as president of the federation but the secretary general, Mr Raj Kumar, of Punjab was replaced by Mr K. Murugan and he (Raj Kumar) was made a vice-president. He said now the north zone was represented by three vice-presidents with third one being Mr Gopi Chand Gehlot of Haryana.

He said the Chandigarh Volleyball Association had been asked to furnish all details regarding the hosting of the event like the arrangements and this will be sent shortly after consulting all members of the association.

He said Jharkhand and Uttranchal had been given affiliation to the federation and two women members namely Ms Manjeet Kaur and Ms Jaisamma nominated on administrative panel. Mr B.L. Malhotra of the Chandigarh Volleyball Association was also made a member of the age screening committee of the federation.

ADMINISTRATION

New central excise rules discussed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 22
The managing committee of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI), Chandigarh-Panchkula chapter, met here today to discuss the new Central Excise rules which came into effect on July 1.

The members were of the view that liberalisation of the Central Excise rules is very conducive for the economic growth of the nation particularly when it came to having faith in the business community.

It was also widely agreed to that liberalisation of these rules would also make the entrepreneur more conscious about the national interests.

However, it was also pointed out in the meeting that although there are provisions for audit of excise duty by the cost accountants, it remained on paper alone. And moreover, since it was an optional requirement and not a mandatory one, it was always at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner.

Members also voiced concern over the inadequate budget provisions in the Central Budget for making payment to cost accountants since the payment is directly made by the department.

The committee was also of the view that the government should consider making cost audit mandatory particularly when the revenue collection was declining.