67 persons honoured
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 4
The Shaheed Memorial International Seva Society (SMISS) honoured 67 eminent personalities of the country during its 37th annual awards function, organised in the auditorium of Ramgarhia Girls’ College here today.

Among those honoured included Uttam Singh, a music director, Sunita Rani, an international athlete and winner of the Arjuna Award, Parminder Singh Cheema, a wrestling champion, Manjit Singh Mahal, a scientist and cricket umpire, Prof K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Mr Suresh Munjal, Director, Hero Group of Industries, Sardarjit Bawa, a writer, producer and director, Jaswinder Bhalla, a comedian, Gurpreet Ghuggi, a comedian, Mr Karamjit Singh Aujla, a writer, and Mr Sukhchain Singh, Assistant Commandant, BSF.

The general secretary of the society, Mr Vajinder Singh, said 67 personalities from all walks of life were selected for the awards. The awards were given in association with the Jai Hari Naam Educational and Seva Society. Mr Rakesh Pandey, Minister of Printing and Stationery, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Some of the other awardees were educationists, including Sister Helima, Principal of Sacred Heart Convent School, Ms Madanjit Sahota, Principal, Master Tara Singh College, M.S. Cheema, Panchhi and Nirmal Rishi, all theatre personalities.

Poetry recitation, debate mark youth fest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 4
Poetry recitation, debate and fine arts events marked the opening of the four-day Panjab University Youth Festival for zone-A, being held at the SDP College for Women, here today.

Dr K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, was the chief guest. He was welcomed by Mr Balraj Bhasin, president of the SDP Sabha, Ms Sushil Gupta, Deputy Mayor, Ms S. Verma, Principal of the host college, college principals and PU senators.

Students from eight local women colleges affiliated with Panjab University, participated in the contests. The results are as follows: poetry recitation — Jaskanwal Kaur Sohi, Government College for Women (1), Amandeep Kaur, Government College for Women and Shama Grover, Khalsa College for Women (2), and Jashanpreet Kaur, SDP College for Women (3); debate — Neha Saini, Government College for Women (1), Monika Sharma, Government College for Women (2) and Shilpi Gupta, SDP College for Women (3); and clay modelling — Richa Thapar, Government College for Women (1), Kamaldeep, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women (2), and Sheenam, Khalsa College for Women (3).

Collage making — Rekha Chadda, DD Jain College for Women (1), Rupali, Ramgarhia Girls College (2), and Aradhna Khalsa College for Women (3); and cartoon making — Manju Bala, Government College for Women (1), Nancy Ahuja from SDP College for Women (2), and Priyanka from SDP College for Women (3); and rangoli — Satinder Kaur, Ramgarhia Girls’ College (1), Poonam, Government College for Women (2), and Meenakshi, DD Jain College for Women (3).

Still life drawing — Varinder Pal Kaur, Government College for Women (1), Naina, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women (2), and Jaspreet, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women (3); landscape drawing — Jaspreet Kaur, Khalsa College for Women (1); Satwinder Kaur, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women (2), and Gurasis Kaur, Government College for Women (3); poster making — Amandeep Kaur, Khalsa College for Women (1), Surpreet Kaur, Government College for Women (2), and Preeti Devgan, Government College for Women (3); and drawing from life — Prabhjot, Government College for Women (1), Shelly, DD Jain College for Women (2), and Jaspreet Kaur, Ramgarhia Girls’ College (3).

PAU ex-don invited for special oration
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 4
Dr P.P. Gupta, an eminent pathologist and former Additional Director of Research (veterinary and animal sciences), Punjab Agricultural University, has been invited to deliver a special oration on the topic, “Recent advances in the diagnosis of emerging mycotic diseases” in the national symposium on “Basic pathology and animal diseases-A need for fresh approach in Indian scenario” and the XX annual conference of Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists (IAVP) to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru, Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, from November 12 to 14.

A correct and early diagnosis is a key factor in the management of mycotic diseases and may influence survival in many cases, says Dr Gupta.

He has already been awarded the ICAR Rafi Ahmed Kidwai award and Dr N.C. Jain and J.L. Vegad award by the IAVP for his work on mycotic diseases.

PU panel on library powers soon
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 4
To discuss the merging of the Panjab University extension library with the newly established regional centre, a committee will be constituted soon by the PU Syndicate.

This was decided at the Library Advisory Committee meeting held at the PU extension library today. It was chaired by Dr K.N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, PU.

The meeting was held in the wake of the ongoing confusion over the financial and administrative powers of the library, which were earlier vested with the deputy librarian, Mr Prem Verma. He has been shifted to the office of the Director of the centre. The committee would define the powers of both.

The members discussed the problems that had been occurring due to the vacant five posts of library assistants.

COURTS

Mere seal tampering not power theft, rules forum
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 4
Mere tampering of seals does not proves theft of electricity, ruled out the District Consumer Forum in a significant judgement, relying upon the two judgements delivered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in different cases.

The forum President, Mr A.S. Narula, ordered the PSEB to refund Rs 3890 charged from Mr Sher Singh, president of the local Northern Railways Pensioners Association, on account of theft charges, along with 12 per cent per annum interest from the date of deposit till refund.

The complainant had submitted that a Meter Inspector checked his meter in September 2001. Thereafter, his meter was removed in December and checked in the M.E. Laboratory, but he was not satisfied with the report. The PSEB wrongly overhauled his account and penalised him, added the complainant.

On the other hand, the counsel for the PSEB pleaded that money charged by the department as theft charges was legal and valid. Because the seals of the meter were found to be tampered with when checked in the M.E. Laboratory in the presence of the consumer. The amount of Rs 3,890 was rightly debited to the account of the consumer after giving him due opportunity.

But the forum did not agree with the contentions raised by the PSEB. ‘’So far the provisions of the sales manual and regulations are concerned, we are of the considered view that no such presumption can be drawn unless the artificial means exist for the abstraction/consumption of energy by the consumers, observed the forum.

The charge of theft of power has to be proved by cogent and convincing evidence and not on the basis of inference alone. ‘’In view of the latest law laid down by our Hon’ble High Court, we are of the considered view that the mere tampering of seals does not prove theft of electricity because no scratches etc. were found on the digits of the meter or no further evidence has been put forth by the PSEB to prove that the complainant was controlling the actual consumption of electricity’’, ruled the forum while quashing the demand raised by the PSEB.