The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Teacher involved in slapping incident transferred
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 25
Ms Nirmal Saini, a teacher in the Sector 37 Government Senior Secondary School here, who was allegedly involved in a slapping incident, was today transferred to Kaimbwala Government Middle School on the periphery of the Union Territory.

The Director Public Instruction (Schools), Mr D.S. Saroya, disagreed that her transfer was a “punishment” posting. On the contrary ,he said, ‘’The teacher has been given another chance to serve at a rural school”.

It may be recalled that about 37 students of Class IV had reportedly slapped four class-fellows “following orders by the teacher”. Soon after the incident, Khushpreet was admitted to the PGI. He was later discharged but was asked to visit the institute again for an ENT test as he had been complaining of hearing loss. A daily diary report was lodged by Khushpreet’s father at the Sector 39 Police station.

The incident took place when the teacher found four students of her class — Ankush, Khushpreet, Sunil and Harsimran — missing at the beginning of her period. In a fit of anger, she had asked the rest of the class to punish them. These students had, however, claimed that they had left the class room as they had been asked to do some other work by another teacher.

The teacher was initially withdrawn from the school and was asked to report at the District Education Office till further orders by the Director Public Instruction (Schools). Subsequently, a committee consisting of Deputy Director, Adult Education, Sudesh Kalra, and District Education Officer, Brahmjit Kalia, was formed to inquire into the matter. The officials conducted preliminary inquiry into the matter and submitted the report.

NSS Day celebrated
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 25
A rally was taken out in Ghumar Colony, Sector 25, by the NSS volunteers of Government Model Secondary School, Sector 23, to celebrate the NSS Day.

The NSS volunteers enlightened the residents of the colony about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene. Volunteers also motivated the residents to adopt preventive measures to cure communicable diseases and AIDS.

Residents of the colony were made aware regarding the free legal services available in the city by the UT Administration .

The NSS programme officers, Mr Vijay Singh and Mr Jit Singh, discussed the aims and objectives of the NSS with the participants. Programme on bad effects of drug addiction was also held.

Meanwhile, Dr N.K. Sahni, Head, Post Graduate Department of Commerce of GGDSD College, Sector 32, addressed the NSS volunteers of the college as part of the ongoing ten-day camp in the college. He talked to the students about personality development, confidence building and how to know one’s potential. In the afternoon session, the college Principal, Dr A.C. Vaid, and Mr C.L. Narang, NSS coordinator for Panjab University, visited the venue of the camp. The principal laid emphasis that without the participation of the youth nothing is possible, especially in the areas of discipline, communal harmony, international brotherhood etc.

Dr C.L. Narang advised the NSS volunteers to form five different groups as advised by the Government of India. These groups are literacy, population education, environment, women empowerment and national integration.

At MCM DAV College, the NSS volunteers visited their adopted village, Palsora, along with Mr C.L. Narang. He addressed the students and advised them also about the five groups which the NSS volunteers ought to make.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
SSP to probe blind man’s implication
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered Barnala’s Senior Superintendent of Police to hold an inquiry into the alleged implication of a blind resident of Raikot sub-division in Ludhiana district. The accused, according to the prosecution, had turned around after “seeing” a police party patrolling the area. According to the prosecution, he was apprehended with 500 grams of opium.

Issuing the directions after Barnala eye surgeon, Dr Triloki Nath, deposed that accused Malkit Singh was blind in both eyes, Mr Justice Nirmal Singh observed that the prosecution story appeared to be doubtful. Granting bail to the accused, the Judge further observed that the petitioner was entitled to be released on bail when his implication was prima facie evident. Malkit Singh was booked by the police under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act on February 28 after a police party claimed that the accused had tried to turn around on sighting police party. Seeking the grant of bail, defence counsel had contended that the accused, could not have seen the police party.

Stay on cancellation of arms licence

Issuing notice to the state of Punjab for October 30, a Division Bench, comprising Mr Justice Jawahal Lal Gupta and Mr Justice Ashutosh Mohunta, today stayed the cancellation of arms licence granted to Faridkot Gun House and Sidhu Gun House at Faridkot.

Terming the action of the government as illegal and arbitrary, counsel for the petitioner, Kapil Kakkar, had earlier contended that the two were given licences for the sale and repair of ammunition and arms, but after 22 years Faridkot’s District Magistrate was informed that the government had decided to cancel the licences.

SP told to probe symbol change case

Directing Amritsar’s Superintendent of Police to depute an officer to investigate the alleged change in the symbol of a candidate for elections to the post of sarpanch, Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel of the High Court today directed him to submit the report within three months. Mr Justice Goel also directed petitioner Balkar Singh of Bhujian village in Tarn Taran tehsil to furnish a formal complaint in this regard, along with the supporting documents, to the SP within two weeks. “After hearing counsel for the parties, I am of the view that the matter requires investigating”, the judge observed.

Challenging the elections of Mr Swaran Singh as the sarpanch of Bhujian village, the petitioner had contended that he was initially allotted the symbol of a cycle but the same was changed into that of rising sun even though it had been granted to another candidate.

Technicians’ plea allowed

Allowing a writ petition filed by 100 technicians working with Panipat’s thermal power plant, Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill of the High Court directed the Haryana State Electricity Board to remove the anomaly in the pay scales of Grade II technicians and Grade I helpers with effect from May 1, 1990, from when the anomaly was created.

Issuing directions, Mr Justice Gill observed: “I have no hesitation in holding that a lower post cannot be equated with higher post in pay scale. In the present case, the post of Grade II technicians and that of Grade I helpers has been placed in the same pay scale. It is clear anomaly created by the board which is necessary to be removed especially when the duties and responsibilities of the technicians are higher than that of helpers.... In my considered view, the pay scales for the higher post should be one step higher in comparison to the feeder post.

Notice on plea by Rathore

Taking up an application filed by Haryana’s Director-General of Police S.P.S. Rathore in the Ruchika case seeking the setting aside of orders issued by the CBI Special Judge rejecting his claim for the supply of statements recorded by the investigating agency, Mr Justice V.M. Jain issued notice for September 29.

In his petition, the DGP had earlier stated that the statements were of witnesses present at the site of the alleged occurrence, or of witnesses conversant with the rivalry going on among lawn tennis groups resulting in his implication.

Bank employees’ plea admitted

Legal Correspondent adds: A significant question of law was raised today on whether employees having retired under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) floated by the Central Government and implemented in all banks, would have to complete 20 years’ service as envisaged under Rule 29 of pension regulations of banks of voluntary retirement, was raised by Mr Parkash Chand and other employees of the State Bank of Patiala.

The petitioners challenged the action of the bank in forfeiting the pension of those who retired with less than 20 years of service (they had put in 15 years’ service). After hearing counsel, a Division Bench comprising Mr Justice K.S. Kumaran and Mr Justice J.S. Khehar admitted the writ petition and ordered for its final hearing on February 25.

6-month RI for Panchkula resident
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 25
A resident of Panchkula, Bhupinder Dhir, was sentenced to six months’ rigorous imprisonment in a cheque bounce case. The complainant, Ashok, had alleged that the accused had taken a friendly loan of Rs 25,000 from him on May 20, 1998.

The complainant alleged that the accused had issued a cheque for Rs 25, 000 to him on August 21, 1998. The cheque was bounced by the bank for lack of sufficient funds. The accused was sentenced to six months’ rigorous imprisonment and fined of Rs 5, 000.

Jail term: A resident of Andhra Pardesh, Partap Reddy, was sentenced to six-month rigorous imprisonment in two different cases of cheque bounce. The complainant, Track Supreme Horse Breeding and Seller, had alleged that it had sold three horses worth Rs 6 lakh to the accused in 1996.

The accused had given the amount in two instalments. The accused first paid a cheque for Rs 3 lakh to the company. Then the accused had issued two cheques. It was alleged that the two cheques were bounced by the bank for lack of sufficient amount. Then the company filed two cases against the accused. The local court had sentenced the accused for six months

Judicial remand: Harinder Pal Singla, a liquor contractor, was sent to 14-day judicial remand by a local court in a case of illicit liquor.

It was alleged that on July 24 a fire incident in a factory in the Industrial Area, Phase I, revealed that the factory, owned by Harjinder Singh, was actually an illicit liquor manufacturing and bottling plant.

It was alleged that the police had seized around 3,500 litres of illicit liquor in the form of pouches and thousands of liters of rectified spirit (ethyl alcohol used for making liquor), artificial flavors and labels of famous brands were also seized.

No bail: A local court today dismissed the bail plea filed by the accused, Amit Singla, in a case of rape. The accused, Amit Kumar and Davinder Bisht, were booked by the police for allegedly raping a 15-year-old maid in a Sector 44 house.

It was alleged that the duo, along with their friend, Prithi, had raped the girl. The case against the accused was registered under Sections, 376 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

CULTURE

The magic of ‘Karigari’
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 25
Skillfully done jute products from Bengal, colourful pottery from Khurja , vegetable dyed block printed kurtas from Rajasthan or delicate chikan work from Lucknow, all done by unknown artisans, weaved magic at “karigari” — an exhibition of handloom and handicraft items which is being organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Dastkar Samiti at Lajpat Rai Bhavan in Sector 15 here.

The stalls from Rajashtan offer colourful hand-painted bedsheets, cushion and pillow covers and “gudri”, the traditional quilt at a very reasonable price. Block printed kurtas from Jaipur which were available at a price of Rs 250 were the major attraction among the youngsters. The Banaras artisans contributed their Tansui saree collection, another major crowd puller. Though priced between Rs 2000 and Rs 5000, the sarees were considered to be expensive, the delicate work and the quality of silk used made them a worthy purchase.

The fair also provides an array of home decor items, right from showpieces in curved wood from Shaharanpur to wall hangings from Banaras or an exclusive range of khurja potteries.

The Akhil Bharatiya Dastkar Samiti, a Delhi-based organisation, works for the uplift of the craftpersons all over the country. To eliminate the role of middlemen who often subject the poor artisans to exploitation, the samiti has been organising exhibitions that bring about a direct interaction between the consumers and the artiste community.

The exhibition will conclude on September 30.