Order on tuitions evokes mixed response
Deepkamal Kaur

Ludhiana, March 16
The recent notification issued by the State Education Department prohibiting teachers of government-aided colleges from taking private tuitions and holding principals and managements responsible for its violation has evoked a mixed response in the colleges here.

While the principals and managements have maintained that such a notification was the need of the hour, they are not happy over the rule which states that the grant-in-aid to colleges would be stopped if any teacher of the college is found taking private tuitions. The principals and members of management have said it was not possible for them to conduct surprise checks on the premises of the teachers who may also be taking tuitions at some other hired place.

Ms S. Verma, Principal, SDP College for Women, said the disciplinary action against the college administration specified in the circular was too harsh. She said instead of disqualifying the entire staff from availing salary grant, the Education Department should simply stop the grant-in-aid for the erring teacher.

Ms Verma said since not all colleges were getting UGC grant for holding remedial classes for weak students, the department should, therefore, stipulate a provision for conducting one hour private tuition to college teachers for weak students after taking permission from the head of the college or members of the management. Or else, such classes be allowed before or after college hours at nominal charges, she said.

Mr Gurbir Singh Sarna, general secretary of the Non-government Colleges Management Federation also aired similar views and said managements were responsible for running their colleges smoothly but they should not be asked to act like detective agents for the Education Department. He said if the department was adamant with the notification, it should also authorise the college management to take action against the teachers indulging in taking private tuitions.

Ms Madanjit Kaur Sahota, Principal, Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women, said she was happy with the decision taken by the department. She, however, said the ad hoc staff should be exempted from the notification as they serve in the college for seven to eight months and were relieved by February or March end. She said she had already taken signatures from the entire staff on the notification and would send the certificate of assurance to the Education Department soon and added that even though it would not be possible for her to make surprise checks, she could verify any complaint from the teachers and college students in this regard.

Commenting on the situation, Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, president, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, said frequency of conducting UGC-funded remedial classes in colleges should be increased. He said weak students in colleges should be screened from the beginning of the session and told to attend such remedial classes for special attention. He also said ad hoc staff or teachers under uncovered posts be allowed to take private tuitions to make both ends meet.

Great creations by NIFD students

Ludhiana, March 16
Students of the National Institute of Fashion Designing (NIFD) presented their creations at their annual exhibition Bhavyakriti held at NIFD Centre here today.

Besides, the students have made designer suits, tops, wrap-around, capris and trousers also. “We teach them the basics, said Mr Gupta.

Apron covers, dining table sheets, microwave oven towels, bed-sheets, cushion covers, chiks with blocks printing border and office stationery items, including pen stands and file folders, were also put on display.

Lectures on economic scenario
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 16
Two lectures were delivered by Prof S.L. Kansra and Prof A.C. Julka, Panjab University, Chandigarh, on “Compensation Criterion of Welfare” and “Indian Economy development continuity and change”, respectively, on the premises of Kamla Lohtia Sanatan Dharam College, Subhash Nagar, Daresi Road, on Wednesday. Prof Mohd Saleem, Head, Department of Economics, and Principal Mr B.D. Budhiraja welcomed the speakers. Prof S.L. Kansra spoke on the concept of welfare Economics vis-a-vis Pareto.

After dwelling on Micro Economics, Prof A.C. Julka commented on the dynamics of Indian economic development. He highlighted the paradox of economic development whereby growth rates, particularly in the post-reform era, were showing a positive trend but going by the problems of poverty, inequality and unemployment, Indian economic scenario was pretty gloomy. He further stressed that it clearly pointed towards the faulty distribution system and absence of trickle-down effects of growth. A solution to this paradox could be provided only by parity between production and distribution, he said. A good deal of discussion and queries followed each lecture.

Towards the end, Mr Brij Mohan Ralhan, general secretary, College Managing Committee, thanked Prof S.L. Kansra and Professor Julka for their lectures. The student presented mementos to the dignitaries as a mark of respect.

Seminar held on banking
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, March 16
The Desh Bhagat Institute of Management and Computer Science organised a seminar on banking industry here today. Mr Sanjeev Gupta, cluster head, HDFC, Ludhiana, told students about the current scenario in national and international banking industry. He spoke about private banking sector and use of information technology for better customer care and service. Mr Gupta stressed that industry needed result-oriented and hardworking entrepreneurs.

Mr H.S. Rana, Manager, HDFC, Khanna branch, said the key to success in banking industry was customer service. It was only because of that quality that private sector banks were pulling more customers than public sector ones. Dr Zora Singh, Chairman of the institute, said financial sector held the key for the development of any industry, including education. He hoped that new concepts like universal banking would help banks, its individual and industrial customers alike. 

PAU awarded commendation certificate
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 16
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has been awarded commendation certificate for excellent display of its products in the Punjab Pavilion in India, International Trade Fair — 2001, held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi recently. The university displayed various farm machinery including power weeder, seed drill, etc. at this exhibition. The Managing Director, Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation Ltd., Chandigarh, has appreciated the participation of the university in this national level exhibition.

The university exhibition was planned, coordinated and implemented by Dr A.K. Bakshi, Head, Department of Food, Science and Technology, PAU, Dr S.S. Gill, Additional Director Extension Communication Centre, PAU, with the active collaboration of the departments concerned 

125 students honoured
Our Correspondent

Sahnewal, March 16
The annual function of the Mai Bhago College for Women, Ramgarh, was presided over by Ms Amritpal Kaur Baliawal, a member of the SGPC. The chief guest was Dr Ramesh Kapoor, Deans, College Development Council, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

The chief guest exhorted the students to join various job-oriented courses started by Punjab University. Ms Amritpal Kaur expressed concern over female foeticide and said strong steps should be taken to curb the evil at all costs. Ninety-five academic awards and 30 awards in cultural activities were given by Dr Kapoor. Mandeep Kaur and Sukhbir Kaur were honoured for outstanding performance in cultural activities. The annual report of the college was read by the Principal.

Forum quashes PSEB demand
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 16
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has quashed a demand of Rs 1,46,097 of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) from Mr Harminder Singh, a resident of Focal Point. The forum has also directed the PSEB to refund the amount deposited against the said demand along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the date of deposit till actual payment. However, the forum made it clear that the PSEB would be at liberty to proceed against the consumer for slow running of electricity meter, in accordance with the rules by way of reference of the matter to the Chief Electrical Inspector if it so desired.

According to the complaint, the PSEB had raised a demand of Rs 1,46,097 on July 6, 2001. The representative of the consumer, Mr S.S. Sarna, stated before the forum that the PSEB had alleged that the meter was running slow by 58.30 per cent and as such the account of the consumer was overhauled.

Mr Sarna pointed out, ‘‘The PSEB is not the competent authority to overhaul the account whenever it feels that the meter is defective,’’. He said that in this case that matter had to be referred to the Chief Electrical Inspector under Section 26 of the Indian Electricity Act, the account could be overhauled for six months only.

Mr Sarna said that the consumer had written to the PSEB that he did not agree with the said bill on July 10, 2001. After that the respondent had allowed him to make the payment in five installments and he paid first installment of Rs 29,220 on July 13, 2001.

Mr Sarna stated that the consumption of electricity remained same even after the change of the meter. It was alleged that there was clear deficiency in services on the part of the PSEB for raising such demand which was liable to be quashed.

The PSEB pleaded that there was no deficiency in services as the meter of the complainant was checked on July 5, 2001, and it was found that it was recording less consumption of energy to the extend of 51.11 per cent on yellow phase whereas it was not recording any energy on the plus phase.

The PSEB maintained that after internal examination of the meter, it was found, the meter was not recording actual consumption of energy because of wrong association of connections (blue phase PT connected with yellow phase terminal). The respondent stated that the demand had been rightly raised and the complaint was liable to be dismissed.

The forum observed that the respondent had presented this case as theft or energy and it had not been alleged that the consumer had tampered with the seals. The forum said, ‘‘In such cases the respondent is not authorised to raise the demand of its own.’’

The forum stated that in case of defective meter, overhauling could be done only for six months and the matter had to be referred to the Electrical Inspector, whereas, there was no mention of the authority concerned. The forum held that the demand had not been raised as per rules and as such it was liable to be quashed.