Chandigarh, December 14
To spread awareness about the global environmental issues amongst the teaching community, the Environment Society of MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, here held a one-day faculty development programme on ‘Sustainable Environmental Development’ here today.

The Chief Guest, Mr B.D. Bhudhiraja, Dean, College Development Council, Panjab University, inaugurated the session. Mr Samir Mathur (IAS), Commissioner and Secretary Environment, presided over the event.

The keynote address was given by Dr I.S. Dua, Prof Department of Botany, Panjab University. Chandigarh on “Sustainable Environment: A Challenge to Modern Biology”. Dr Vibha Taluja from Quality Education and Training Society, spoke on “Sustainable Development-A Holistic View”.

Dr P. K. Srivastava, Assistant Director, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, also presented his views. Mr Srivastava is the first person in the world to start a novel concept called ‘Scientoons’. Dr Ashok Sharma, Secretary, Himachal Productivity Council, gave an enlightening and gripping address.

The programme also showcased a movie “Miles to Go” by Green Peace India. It was an eye-opener which emphasised the urgency with which the society had to fight against toxic hazards. It clearly showed that a tragedy like Bhopal could happen again at any time and marked the 24 toxic hotspots in India. The session was summed up by Mr R.K. Kohli, Chairperson, environment studies, Panjab University. He stressed upon the execution of the programmes of the environment concern.

Mr Baldev Aggarwal, chairman, Rotact Club, Chandigarh, honoured Dr Ms Puneet Bedi, Principal of the college and Ms Alka Kansra for their active services towards environment and society. The students of the college presented a humorous skit on a serious environment issues. The valedictory address was delivered by Justice A.L. Bahri, President of the local DAV managing committee.

Mohali, December 14
Fun and frolic marked the first day of the annual day celebrations ‘Kaleidoscope 05’ of Saupin’s School organised today at Tagore Theatre. The function was presided over by Nek Chand as the chief guest and Ms Seema Jain, Chairperson, Mandi Board Punjab, as the guest of honour.

The programme commenced with the singing of ‘vande matram’. This was followed by a variety of item, including a play in Hindi in which the students represented their theatrical skills. A dramatic representation of Roal Dahl’s poem on Red Riding Hood and Three Little Pigs was presented in the form of a ballet. The audience appreciated ‘Vanjara’ a bhangra based on drama in Punjabi. All students of the school were given the opportunity to participate in the function.

Chandigarh, December 14
The computer training centre at the Working Women Hostel, Sector 24, being run by the Social Welfare Department is still without an instructor. While the students complained that they had paid their regular fee of Rs 500. There has been no instructor for formal training. So much so that many a times, new students who wish to seek admission had to be turned down.

Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, one of the student informed that the lady instructor left in the month of October after she got married and since then they had been practicing whatever they had learnt so far. This was also brought to the notice of the authorities but no instructor was appointed, they added. Another student complained that she had visited the center thrice to get enrolled but was asked to come again as there was no instructor.

It is learnt that Kulwinder, another instructor who used to teach the batch of handicapped students was asked to conduct other batches as well. But the students informed that hardly any classes were held and they used to practice themselves on the computer. On being questioned, Kulwinder who takes classes at other centers as well said that there were five batches and after coming back from two-day leave he would now fully take the charge of teaching all the batches. It is also alleged that the number of persons coming for the beauty parlour training is also dwindling.

Meanwhile, Amandeep Kaur, Director Social Welfare, UT Chandigarh, agreed that there was no instructor at the center and said that the interviews for the recruitment of the same was being planned.

Chandigarh, December 14
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has come to the rescue of a Forest Officer who retired from service without being promoted against the state promotion quota in the Indian Forest Services (IFS).

Directing the Union of India and the state government to hold the meeting of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) against the vacancies in the IFS for 2000 and 2001, the tribunal directed the respondents to re-induct the applicant back in service, if found eligible.

The applicant, Mr Maya Ram, had moved the tribunal seeking promotion against the state quota in the IFS. The applicant was inducted into the Haryana Forest Services in 1991. After he represented to the government, he was promoted in the state service with effect from 1991.

In 2000 there were vacancies in the state quota of the IFS, but since the applicant did not have eight years of confirmed service he was not promoted. But in September 2005, he completed eight years of confirmed service and approached the government to give him the benefit of promotion. He ultimately retired in November 2005, without being promoted.

The case of the applicant was also delayed after the direct recruits to the Haryana Forest Service approached to become party to the case. But their plea was rejected by the tribunal.

Chandigarh, December 14
The Deputy Commissioner has issued a show-cause notice to a Junior Engineer, Mr Sudhir Batra, for not reporting about two rooms which were being used at a Sector 17 guest house, City Plaza. The guest house had been sealed by the Estate Office.

The illegal operation was noticed when a guest committed suicide at the hotel. After the hotel was sealed, two rooms continued to be used as a guest house.

Panchkula, December 14
To expedite pending legal cases, the Haryana State Legal Services authorities have launched a project ‘Peoples Initiative for Justice’ to provide justice at the door steps of the litigants in certain pending cases here.

The Session Judge, Mr Arvind Kumar Goel, Chairman of the District legal Services authority formally launched the project at a meeting with district administration, senior citizens and legal aid councils.

The additional district and session judge Mr Shekhar Dhawan, the state member secretary and CJM Mr Ghulab Singh explained the objectives and prospective benefits of the project. Mr Brijendra Singh, DC and Mr Virender Dahiya, SDM, participated in the deliberations while the Bar association president Satish Kadian assured full support for the noble cause. However, noted social worker Bala Pathak ,based on her close interaction with village inmates in Morni area maintained that the unemployment and poverty was the main cause of their indulging in criminal activities and counselling for that was necessary.

The project is aimed at making the villages of the district ‘litigation free’ or at least minimise it. Initially five teams of legal aid counsels and senior citizens had been constituted to visit 10 villages identified for the purpose. The teams with the guidance of SDM Virender Dahiya will involve the sarpanches, lambardars anganwadi workers to interact with the litigants already identified. Advocates Kanchan Bala, Ruchi Goel, K.L. Sehgal, Sandeep Aggarwal and H.S. Rana are the legal aid counsels for the project starting from December 18, 2005. They will also attempt settlement of petty crime cases, personal disputes and educate the villagers with the legal repercussions of various crimes.