EDUCATION

Mid-day meals for aided schools too
Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8
Widening the scope of the mid-day meals “bait: to primary classes, the UT Education Department will extend it to all government and aided schools of the city in compliance with the recently issued Supreme Court orders.

However, replacing the convention of giving food grains to students under the centrally sponsored scheme of mid-day meals, the Supreme Court has directed that students be given cooked meals with food value of not less than 300 calories and 8 to 12 gm of proteins.

Also, instead of the prevailing 180 days, the duration of the scheme has been extended by another 20 days, meaning thereby that the mid-day meals would now be provided for 200 days in these schools.

All set to implement the scheme, it is learnt that the UT Administration intends to rope in the Food Craft Institute, Sector 42, to prepare meals which conform to the requirements laid down by the apex court.

At a meeting chaired by the Home Secretary, Mr RS Gujral, here today, with heads of various institutions, it was decided that grains would be substituted by nutritious biscuits for students of primary classes. A final decision in the matter was expected in a week’s time.

There was scepticism among heads of institutions over distribution of ready-to-eat meals since, under a similar experiment in the eighties, a factory of Rajpura had supplied adulterated biscuits, which had resulted in food poisoning of students who consumed these. Also, a Punjab Government-backed “panjeeri” plant had failed to deliver under a similar exercise.

To cater to the requirements of the city, two schemes, one of these being centrally sponsored while the other being state-funded, were already ``feeding’’ 33 rural and 40 urban schools. Under the new directions, the scheme would now cover 102 government and five government -aided schools.

While students of schools in rural areas were being given 3 kg grains under the centrally sponsored scheme, their counterparts in urban schools were being given ready-to-eat meals comprising four slices each of fruit bread which had a food value of 353 calories and 11.57 gm of proteins.

Colleges told to buy more books for libraries
Sanjeev Bariana
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8
A number of colleges affiliated to Panjab University do not have adequate library facilities for students though a library is supposed to augment regular classroom teaching.

The fact was evident from the inspection reports of nearly two dozen colleges submitted to the university which were placed before the university House. The number of the reports was quite large about colleges wanting to have adequate library facilities. Certain colleges had also sent in action-taken reports about the improvements made in this regard.

Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Abohar, had been asked to procure about ‘1,000 books more for the library’. The college ‘must also subscribe to more magazines and newspapers by providing reading room facilities’. The college claimed to have made certain amendments.

Dev Samaj College, Sector 45, had been asked to purchase more books and journals, particularly commerce-related journals. The college had reported to have made certain purchases. Government College, Zira, had been asked to purchase latest editions of books for the library. SCD Government College, Ludhiana, had been asked to computerise the library.

An undergraduate university topper said, ‘‘College libraries do not subscribe to a number of good journals. Another big problem quite common in the libraries is that relevant pages of the recommended books are found missing. It is not a fault of the college authorities but at least the students needed to be made more aware about the ‘crime’ and strict action should be taken against the guilty to set standards of decent behaviour’’.

In one of the reports, the university committee had asked Gopichand Arya Mahila College, Abohar, to purchase books worth at least Rs 30,000 for the college library. DAV College of Education, Hoshiarpur, had been asked to spend the amalgamated fund on library enhancement (general reference journals) besides other activities. The college had been told to increase the sitting capacity in the library.

Besides a committee on library improvement, Guru Nanak Girls College, Ludhiana, was also required to purchase books worth at least Rs 1 lakh to strengthen the reference section. The college hostel would have to subscribe to more newspapers and periodicals. GGS DAV Centenary College, Jalalabad, DD Jain College, Ludhiana and Saini Bar College, Bulhowal had also been asked to improve their library facilities.

Even in past, inspection reports had pointed out about colleges wanting in library facilities. The university needed to verify the facts again after receipt of action-taken reports, a fellow of the university Senate said.

Another student said that ‘‘Besides books and journals, libraries in colleges need to go in for complete computerisation. With availability of the Internet facilities, student will have access to wider information avenues. Besides good storage of the books and journals, college libraries need to organise programmes to draw more students towards it because a vast segment of the student population remained outside its premises throughout their student life.

Convention on ‘Save higher education’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8
A convention, “Save higher education,’’ will be organised at the Law Auditorium of Panjab University on January 10 in response to a call given by the Joint Action Committee representing the managements and principals’ federation of non-government colleges.

The convener of the committee, Principal A.C. Vaid, said that the convention aimed at highlighting the “anti-higher education” policies of the Punjab Government which would lead to a fee hike and force the college managements to close down the institutions.

The president of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, said a meeting of the JAC would be held on the same day to decide the future course of action.

Students taken to Book Fair
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8
Students of local government schools participated in a rally here today organised to create awareness on the necessity of reading books as part of the book fair agenda.

Carrying placards and banners with slogans, the students began their rally from their respective schools and converged at the book fair venue at the Circus Grounds in Sector 17.

At the venue, the students were taken to all stalls where books on various subjects were displayed. This was followed by a cultural programme where students danced on a Punjabi number and presented songs.

The book fair which began on January 3 will to continue till January 14.

Programme for eco-club trainers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8
A two-day training programme for master trainers and teacher trainers in charge of eco-clubs, formed under the National Green Corps programme, would be held on January 19 and 20 at DAV College, Sector 10.

The Adviser to Administrator, Chandigarh Administration, will inaugurate the programme. Under the scheme, 100 eco-clubs have been formed in the city with the purpose of creating environmental awareness and other related activities.

For the implementation of the scheme, the Environment Department has been declared as nodal agency. In addition, a state-level monitoring committee and a district-level monitoring committee have been constituted under the chairmanship of Mr Ishwar Singh, Director, Department of Environment, for the effective implementation of the scheme.

Youth fest ends with folk dances
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8
Graceful performances marked the conclusion of the two-day cultural extravaganza at the State Youth Festival organised by the UT Sports Department at Tagore Theatre, here today.

Bhangra by students of Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, bagged first position and Haryanavi dance by girls of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Sector 23, brought them second prize.

In the boys’ category, while students of Government College, Sector 46, came first, the team from the Government College for Men, Sector 11, was declared second.

A one-act play, Jadon roshni hondi hai, was presented by artistes of Pracheen Kala Kendra, Sector 35. 

Local girl wins gold medal at science congress
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 8
Eleven-year-old Divya Sharma, a student of Chaman Lal DAV School, Sector 11, has won gold medal at the National Children Science Congress held at Pune recently.

She had presented papers on problem of measuring liquids by visually impaired and the solutions thereon. She had also prepared an instrument for helping the visually impaired measure liquids.

Mr Anil Sharma, her guide, said Divya was perturbed over the problem faced by these handicapped persons. She had created a wooden instrument with embossed marking at every inch in Braille. He added that the instruments had been demonstrated at various hospitals and blind schools and the National Handicapped Welfare Council, Haryana.

Bicycles for students
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8
Woollens were distributed among students of Government Model Middle School, Sector 39, by Principal Bahadur Singh, Government High School, Sector 40, here today.

The school in charge, Ms Kiran Jyoti, said 50 students would be brought under the scheme. Mr Bahadur Singh announced a bicycle each to needy students who had secured 80 per cent and above in the final examination. A cultural programme was also held.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Plea on Sehajdharis admitted
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today admitted a petition seeking directions to the Union of India and other respondents for quashing a clause in the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, whereby the voting right to Sehajdhari Sikhs was contemplated for the purpose of electing members to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

Claiming the same to be ultra vires of Article 26 of the Constitution, SGPC member from Hisar constituency, Mr Bharpur Singh, in a petition taken up by Chief Justice Arun B. Saharya and Mr Justice V.K. Bali, had contended it was also against the preamble, basic structure and the provisions of the Act. The petitioner had also sought directions for restraining the respondents from registering voters termed as “patits” under the provisions of the Act. The case will now come up for hearing on April 22.

A similar petition, seeking directions to the state of Punjab and other respondents against enrolling Sehajdharis as voters for the purpose of electing SGPC members, was admitted by the High Court earlier also.

In the petition, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) General Secretary Jagmohan Singh, along with another petitioner, had challenged the vires of clause 10-A of Section 2 of the Act. Describing it as ultra vires of the Constitution, the petitioners had added that the clause was against the aims and objectives of the Sikh Gurdwara Act and was liable to be quashed.

ETO’s seniority list quashed

Quashing the seniority list of Haryana’s Excise and Taxation Officer, Mr Justice J.S. Narang of the High Court directed that a fresh list now drawn up would supersede all previous lists.

Delivering the verdict on a petition filed by Mr S.N. Sharma and other officers, Mr Justice Narang also directed that “during the interregnum, if any promotion was made, the same shall be subject to the settlement of the seniority list and shall be allowed to be effected according to the seniority list so drawn”. In his detailed order, the Judge added: “The exercise should be carried out within six months from receiving a certified copy of the order”.

Challenging the list, the petitioners had contended that certain directly recruited respondents belonging to the reserved category had been placed above them despite the fact that they were higher on the merit list.

Permission to amend octroi plea sought

After a copy of the Act, converted from an ordinance pertaining to the abolition of octroi in the state of Punjab was placed before a Division Bench of the High Court, counsel for the petitioner today sought permission for amending the writ petition.

In an undertaking before the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice Ashutosh Mohunta, counsel for the petitioner stated that the amended petition would be filed by January 11. After recording the undertaking, the Bench directed that the reply, if any, should be filed in court by January 18. The case will now come up for hearing on January 25.

In his application, former Municipal councillor Mathura Dass had claimed that decision to abolish octroi had been passed after violating the High Court directions. His counsel had added that as per the orders the respondents were required to place on record a copy of the decision and were expected to implement it after obtaining court permission. The respondents had abolished octroi from December 1.

Show-cause notice to Secy

Legal Correspondent adds:
In a pertaining to the selection of Executive Officers for Local Bodies in Punjab, allegedly in violation of directions issued by the High Court, Mr Justice J.S. Khehar issued a show cause notice to Mr B.C. Gupta and Mr J.B. Goel, Secretary and Director of Local Self-Government, respectively, for April 1.

On a petition filed by Mr Bhagwant Pal Singh Virk, his counsel contended that the High Court had issued certain directions to the Punjab Government for appointment of Executive Officers and other officers in the department on an undertaking given by the then Joint Secretary for Local Self-Government.

A large number of candidates had been appointed as Executive Officers against the limited vacancies advertised and selections had not been made as per the undertaking given.

The Judge after hearing the contentions issued a show cause notice on why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against the respondents.

Life sentence for killing friend
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 8
A city resident, Vikas, was sentenced to life imprisonment today by the UT District and Sessions Judge, Mr H.S Bhalla, for murdering his friend. The case against the accused, Vikas, a Sector 47 resident was registered under Sections 302, 364, 419, 467 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code in 1996 on a complaint by father of the deceased.

As per the prosecution, on December 4, 1996, the deceased, Manu Sharma, went to Sector 17 along with his father, Mr Satish Sharma, mother, Santosh and an aunt. He was dropped near KC theatre at about 10.45 am. Manu Sharma told his family that he had to meet Vikas for seeking guidance for a medical test and he would return soon. When Manu did not return home, his father lodged a complaint in the police station in Sector 17.

Later the Jammu police arrested the accused, Vikas, in connection with a theft case. During the interrogation the accused disclosed to the Jammu police that he had murdered Manu Sharma and buried his body in forest near Rock Garden.

The city police then brought back Vikas. During interrogation he disclosed that he had murdered Manu with a knife and buried his body in forest near Rock Garden. The accused also disclosed that he had also kept two bags and the knife there. On the other hand, defence counsel argued that his client had been falsely implicated in the case and there was no motive behind the murder.

The Judge said in its order that the accused had submitted that he was a young person and the only one to look after his parents therefore a lenient view may be taken. The plea of the convict for mercy was unjustified and a prayer for sympathy in the fact and circumstances of the case was wholly misplaced. The accused had killed his friend Manu Sharma and he should be sentenced in a proper manner. Therefore the accused, Vikas, was sentenced to undergo imprisonment of life and to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 or in default of payment of fine the accused would have to go further rigorous imprisonment for three months. 

Bhattal gets notice in rehabilitation case
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notice of motion on Punjab’s former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and another respondent for January 22 even as counsel for the Chandigarh Administration, in an undertaking, stated that jhuggi dwellers, uprooted from Kaimbwala village following a demolition drive by the administration, were being provided shelter in Maloya village.

According to sources in the UT Administration, about 3 acres of prime land worth crores of rupees was being provided for the setting up of temporary shelter in the area.

Meanwhile, appearing before the Bench, comprising Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice Bakhshish Kaur, counsel added that the shelter would be provided by today evening or by tomorrow morning and would not be removed till further orders by the court. He added that water was freely available in the area.

After hearing counsel for the administration, the Bench directed counsel for the petitioner to submit a list of eligible dwellers to the Sub Divisional Magistrate concerned. The judges also asked the administration to permit the counsel for petitioner to visit the site. The High Court on Monday had granted court time till today to counsel for UT Administration for seeking instructions regarding the issue of providing shelter to 200-odd dwellers.

The petitioners had earlier claimed that their dwellings had been illegally demolished by the administration on December 22 last year. Seeking compensation, they had also asked for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation. They had added that a payment of Rs 100 per month was being made to the former Chief Minister and another respondent as payment for the jhuggis.