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Academics on backburner at Senate meeting
Chandigarh, December 18 Certain fellows of the university Senate deplored the “lack of willingness on part of the university to take up student-related matters, particularly examination”. Mr U.K. Sharma said “it was sad that university, instead of talking about issues regarding the need for changes in education because of the changing socio-economic scenario in the city because of coming up of at least three Information Technology parks, was talking about routine appointments and related issues.” Mr P.S. Sangha said the issues pertaining to scope for job placement and admissions for students in professional courses were being totally ignored. Principal Harmit Kaur folded a list of items she had listed concerning colleges and kept the paper in her purse saying “colleges are not finding the rightful place in the academic debate here”. The Senate was also informed about suggestions from at least 20 fellows regarding the possible amendments in the examination system which are yet to be taken up for a detailed discussion. Mr S.S.Hundal and Mr Ajay Pal Gill said it was said that the college education related matter was very poorly taken in the university Senate. To highlight the lack of academic concern, it is worth pointing out that at least on two issues related to university examination, a senator only asked whether teachers will be paid extra for the exercise or not. A senior fellow said “ I can only feel sorry for the level of debate. Instead of talking about academic excellence, a lot of time was spent on deciding that a one-time chance be given to students who could not clear their examination in their due chances since April 2002. Students can take their chance in April\September 2006. The decision will cover all undergraduate courses except the LLB and B Ed. The university has also decided to give a mercy chance to students of B Sc(honours)”. Replying to the queries, Prof K.N. Pathak, the Vice-Chancellor, told the Senate that he was aware of the problems and was working on it. “I have received suggestions from at least 30 fellows which are being perused. I can say with confidence that staff shortage was not the right answer to the trouble. A special Senate will be organised on February 5 which will concentrate only on academics, colleges and examination”. The university has decided to introduce the criteria of having secured at least 60 per cent marks in the plus two while seeking admission to the first year courses at the UIET. There will be a relaxation of five per cent for reserved categories. Students of engineering courses can now have a look at their answer-sheets. The answers will be discussed and the rationale of assessment will be given. Internal examiners will now evaluate the answer books. A student of five year LLB (honours) course who fails in a subject will be given two consecutive chances to clear his examination. Admission of a student who fails to have the required attendance in the first semester will be cancelled. Professor Pathak informed the Senate that the case regarding “alleged embezzlement of funds” with regard to the fee collection section had been referred to the Chandigarh Police. The CBI and the Vigilance Bureau, who were given the case earlier, had refused to handle the matter. The case pertained to the discrepancies in the fee collected and the fee shown on papers. Students of Panjab University now can have access to all private information regarding details of their academic career with implementation of the Right to Information bill. The university has appointed officials to answer student
queries.
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Hoardings at petrol stations face MC axe
Chandigarh, December 18 In another campaign, the MC has taken into possession as many as 200 hoardings removed from the commercial areas in Sectors 8, 9, 35 and Mani Majra. The city is flooded with hoardings carrying advertisements these days. Even shopkeepers have been putting hoardings bigger than the prescribed size. The hoardings at the petrol stations not only carry
advertisements of oil companies but also about new cars and mobile companies. Rules do not permit hoardings on any walls in the city. Even putting hoardings on big boards at petrol stations is violative of the same. But due to the laxity of the MC in this regard, of late lot of hoardings have come up at various places in the city. Though the time period of one week given to the stations to remove the hoardings has elapsed, some of the station owners who met the Commissioner, Mr P.S. Aujla, had sought another one week saying that they need to find a way out for displaying the hoardings of the oil companies. But the same was turned down on the ground that rules have no provision for the same. The enforcement officer in charge for these drives said the drive to remove these hoardings from the stations would be started next week and once removed they would not be returned. Meanwhile, hoardings and glow signs which violate the stipulated size will also be removed from the commercial area in Sector 34.
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MC House to take up laundry marts’ issue tomorrow
Chandigarh, December 18 The modernisation proposal, which already stands approved by the Finance and Contract Committee (F and CC), will be implemented in a phased manner and conversion of three dhobhighats in Sectors 7, 15 and 32 will be taken up at a cost of Rs 71.16 lakh in the first phase. These will not only conserve water, but will reduce the use of detergent, besides checking air and water pollution caused by discharge of soap water. New plant and machinery will be made available to ensure washing and cleaning of clothes in more hygienic conditions, much to the relief of residents. Each laundromat will be equipped with coin/card operated machines, as is done in the West. Once passed, it will mainly benefit students, floating population and tourists. They will also provide facilities for drying and pressing of clothes. The rates will be fixed on the basis of each cycle of washing and dry weight of the cloth, it is learnt. The House will also consider another project pertaining to the upgradation of the existing sewage treatment plant at Diggian (SAS Nagar) at a cost of Rs 33 crore. With this, they will be able to treat the entire incoming sewage of about 45 MGD up to the standard of 30 mg/1 BOD (biological oxygen demand) levels as per the standards of the Pollution Control Board. This is being done in line with the augmentation of the fourth phase of the Kajauli water works. As a result, the sewage flow is bound to increase. The proposal of laying of concrete cement flooring in the Sector 17 Plaza area, in front of Sindhi sweets shop and the Batra building, at a cost of Rs 39.47 lakh is also on the agenda as part of MC’s beautification plan for Sector 17. Besides this, the
of summer and winter uniforms to Health Supervisors, Chief Sanitary Inspectors and Sanitary Inspectors is also likely to get the nod of the House. Proper uniforms, including pants, coats and ties, will make them easily distinguishable in the general public, their lower rank colleagues and the police during the inspection rounds. Estimates will also be approved for construction of storm water drainage in place of the damaged circular brick drains in Model Jail, Burail. An important question raised by the local MP, Mr Pawan Bansal, pertaining to the dumping of malba/debris on the roadside may not be taken up again due to the preoccupation of Mr Bansal in Delhi. He is heading the panel formed for probing the role of MPs in taking graft to raise questions in Parliament and the report is to be submitted on December 21. It could not be taken up in the last meeting of the House also due to his absence. Meanwhile, the Mayor, Ms Anu Chatrath, claimed that the UT Administrator, Lt-Gen S.F Rodrigues (retd), had expressed satisfaction over the approval of certain vital developmental issues in the F and CC meeting held last week and had asked the departments concerned to provide MC with the necessary drawings at the earliest. These include construction of an air conditioned/soundproof marriage palace in Sector 51 and two new private bus stands to provide proper parking place to tourist buses coming into the city. She said she might hold another meeting of the House before her tenure ended to get the House’s approval for most of the items passed in the F and CC meeting. For the councillors aspiring for the post of the Mayor, the House might be the ideal forum for staking their claims and putting forth their views before the elected and nominated councillors, this being the last meeting before the mayoral poll, to be held on January 1.
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Empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions demanded
Chandigarh, December 18 The issue was raised three-member delegation which had gone to take part in an All-India Convention of panchayati members in Delhi on December 16. Led by Didar Singh, chairman of the Panchayat Samiti, the members lamented that seven months had passed since the elections to the chairman of the Zila Parishad were held. Others were Hukam Chand, and Swaran Kaur. “The officers in the administration had not been able to decide on the matter in seven months. Lakhs of rupee spent on conduct of the elections has gone down the drain”, said the chairman. The Union Minister asked the participants about the reason for the delay. After listening to them, the minister assured to inquire in to the matter from the administration. The minister was also told that there was a move to include 14 more villages in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, despite the opposition by the panchayati members. “The fate of the four villages which were included in the MC , nine years ago is a glaring example before us”, said Hukam Chand. “There can be a dialogue for election if the structures outside the lal dora are regularised and separate development fund were created for the upliftment of villages”, said Didar Singh. He said there were large chunk of lands which the panchayats could sell for the upliftment of the villages. The administration and the MC were eyeing the un acquired land in the UT villages. But nothing would come in the hands of the panchayats. Around 3,000 acres of land was lying unacquired in Badheri, Baheana, Bair Majra, Burail, Dadu Majra, Baria, Dhanas, Hallo Majra and Kaimbala, villages.
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Left parties hold anti-WTO rally
Chandigarh, December 18 Addressing the rally, the national convener of the MPCI (U), Mr Jagjit Singh Lyllpuri, said: “The WTO was predominantly trying to impose the nefarious designs of imperialist countries that were bent upon looting the developing nations under the garb of an open market and unrestricted trade.” Mr Prem Singh Bhangu, president, All-India Kirti Sabha, criticised the government as it entered into an agreement on agriculture in 1994 without taking its people into confidence and now after 10 years the consequence of this agreement had started and “agriculture of developing nations is facing a challenge posed from unrestricted agriculture imports from developing countries”. Speakers such as Mr Chander Shekhar, secretary, CTU, said that World Bank studies had indicated that nearly 70 per cent of gains from the WTO would go to rich nations. Once implemented, eradication of poverty would not take place. But what would happen is that it would benefit the service and agriculture sectors of developed countries. Similarly, the all-India secretary of the AICTU, Mr Malkiat Singh, called upon the industrial workers to oppose the WTO in totality and jointly raise their voice to force the Indian government to withdraw from the WTO. Mr Malkiat Singh said the implementation of globalisation policies would result in rendering the industrial workers jobless. He said the policies of privatisation and disinvestment in PSUs were a direct fall out of the dictates of the World Bank. The Chandigarh secretary of the AICTU, Mr Ajit Singh, urged the industrial workers and farmers to join hand and protest the non-implementation of the minimum wage and other labour laws in industries. Several other Leftist leaders, including Mr Balbir Singh, local secretary of the CTU, Mr Zora Singh, secretary MCPI, Mr Kali Das, Mr Hakam Singh, Mr Yagya Narain, Mr Ram Singh, Mr Prem Singh Nanwa and Mr Ajaib Singh, addressed the rally.
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22-year-old found dead
Mohali, December 18 Narinder Singh, the victim’s elder brother, identified the body and told the police that the victim was missing from home since last evening. However, the family could not give any idea to the police if the victim had any animosity with anyone. Harjinder worked in Mohali and repaired cycles. A case under Section 302 has been registered.
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How long have you been associated with cricket? I represented Karnataka in Ranji Trophy ties during 1984 - 87. At present, I am coaching Karnataka cricket team since 2000. What do you say about your boys’ performance? Though, the Punjab team has well past records but here, in Cooch Behar tie, we had simply outclassed them. Karnataka will be placed at No 1 followed by Maharashtra. The finals tally with the matches held at Sector 16 stadium read as Karnataka, Maharashtra and Punjab with 6 points each. But Karnataka and Maharashtra, having outright win, have an edge over Punjab who is swept away in the fray. We were placed at number 1 position, as our team had registered a win over Maharashtra. What according to you is essential to be a good cricketer? The physical fitness and loads of patience is the ‘mantra’ to be successful in this sport. Cricket is not only played with bat and ball, it is played between your ears i.e. mind. If you understand it and can manipulate according to the situation you can enjoy this game with a win. How do you look up to cricket talent in our country? There is no dearth of talent in our country but the need is to exploit it fully and ‘catch them young’ should be the motto. I am amused to see the infrastructure Punjab provides for the budding players and the PCA Stadium at Mohali is simply mind-blowing. — G. S. Paul
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Controversy over draw of plots
Panchkula, December 18 Ms Neelam P.Kasni, HUDA Administrator, clarified withholding of 141 plots on certain technical grounds like delay in demarcation and related process but the district general secretary of the Congress, Mr Hemant Kinger, through a press note, wanted to know why 141 plots of 10 marla, 14 marla and one Kanal category were not included in the much awaited-draw while only 349 plots had been allotted. Reacting to the HUDA version that there was a technical problem as the land on which 141 plots were to be constructed was under litigation, Mr Kinger asked the reason for advertising plots which were not technically feasible for allotment demanded that earnest money of applicants should not be refunded and instead, a suitable date for draw of lots be intimated.
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Lineman devises quake warning system
Chandigarh, December 18 Few months back, he had prepared a paper plan of the system and now he has prepared a working model. The lineman, Jagdish, who has devised the system, has no formal background in seismology. He believes that it could be crucial in saving precious lives during an earthquake. On noticing a seismic activity, the device made of metal, transfers the vibration through a battery operated relay switch to a siren or a bulb. The signal can also be used to increase the level of vibration, especially for the deaf and dumb persons. With meager funds to prepare a working model, the lineman has been trying to meet officials of the Geological Survey of India
(GSI) so that the concept could be put to general use. Unlike the gadgets used to record seismic activity which costs in lakhs, the system devised by Jagdish can cost few thousand rupees only. By experience or hearsay, a common man on seeing an oscillating fan or shaking furniture or a vehicle believes that an earthquake is underway and then runs to save his life. If a persons is sleeping or loses time in assessing a seismic activity, valuable time is lost in running for life. There have been cases when the earthquake has struck during the night hours and has resulted in high casualties. Explaining the concept, the lineman said a mass of cylindrical metal is hanged through a spring and is kept a few microns away from another cylindrical outer shell. On slightest of seismic activity, the two cylindrical metal bodies come in contact, thereby passing the signal to a relay switch. Since the device has to be made of durable metal, it could cost between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 and can be installed at any place. Its size can be increased or decreased as per the requirement.
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Vacancies in major-gen rank increased in MI
Chandigarh, December 18 According to sources, the government’s sanction to increase the number of major-generals in the MI from two to three was accorded a few days ago. “This is being viewed as part of the implementation of the second phase of the A.V. Singh Committee,” sources at Army Headquarters said. Though senior government functionaries and military top brass have made statements that the process of implementing the second phase is on, there have been no definite announcements in this regard. It is learnt that the newly created post of major-general in the MI Directorate at Army Headquarters (AHQ) would be concerned with Intelligence and Field Security (IFSU). It is the MI’s most sensitive outfit, being responsible for gathering cross-border intelligence. In fact, Army formations depend on IFSU for the tactical intelligence inputs. Till now, the MI corps had two major-generals, with one posted as the Commandant of the MI school and depot in Pune and the other as the Additional Director General of Military Intelligence (B) at AHQ, dealing primarily with counter intelligence. A recently promoted major-general from the MI has been tipped to take over as the IFSU commander. A brigadier, who according to sources has already been approved for promotion, is expected to take over as ADGMI (B). “The post of the IFSU commander being upgraded to major-general has also warranted the creation of additional vacancies for brigadiers to look after various aspects and departments of the IFSU,” sources said. In the Army, the head of the MI Directorate is not from the MI corps, but a lieutenant-general generally from the infantry. A vacancy for another major general, that of the ADGMI (A) exists in the MI directorate, but that is also filled by a non-MI Corps officer. The requirement for a major general to head the IFSU, till now controlled by a brigadier, was being projected for a long time. This was because it is a large organisation comprising about a score of units and detachments spread all across the country. Also of consideration was the sensitivity of its operations. The third phase of the A V Singh Committee calls for a vacancy at the level of a lieutenant-general from the MI. Besides, additional vacancies at the level of brigadiers would also be created under this ambit.
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Butterflies need conservation
Little winged beauties have always attracted one’s attention. Be it a municipal park or verdant forests around the Sukhna Lake or a lovingly nurtured kitchen garden, these can be seen flitting here and there.
Like other species, their habitat is also declining. As City Beautiful is rapidly converting into a concrete jungle, there is a decline in host shrubs like lantana, ak and hibiscus and trees like amaltas, pipal and bor. In some of the areas, especially in Sectors 29, 31 and 47, haphazard dumping of “malba” is gobbling up their habitat. There is a need to improve the number by setting up a butterfly park on the pattern of parks in foreign countries, says Dr V.K. Walia, an entomologist at the Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He has been studying butterflies for the past 25 years. He says the park will not only improve their number of butterflies but also bring residents closer to nature. “The park will give children an opportunity to understand the importance of these bio-indicators. It will also serve as a laboratory for studying lepidoptera and its conservation,” believes Dr Walia, who is writing a book on butterflies of north-west of India. Of the 1,439 species of butterflies that have been reported in India, 78 have been recorded by Dr Walia in and around the city. Most of these species live at average altitudes. These can be seen in good numbers in foothills and plains close to hills. Area near Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is an ideal spot for setting up the park as it is botanically richest area. A museum will also go a long way in creating awareness about these beautiful creatures. Butterflies can be reared in parks under controlled conditions and these can be later released in surrounding areas, he says. For this, plantation of their host plants and closed chambers will be required. “The department has a large collection of specimens of different species of butterflies and moths that can be displayed in the museum,” says the entomologist. He says butterfly farming, popular in the UK, the USA and Australia, has played an important role not only in its conservation but also in providing employment as a cottage industry.
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City to host Punjabi NRIs conference
Chandigarh, December
18 Giving this information, Mr Rupinder Singh, president, G-PIND, the organisation that is organising the conference in association with a group of NGOs and
Parvasi, a Punjabi weekly, said the conference would be a follow-up of the first conference held in Toronto in May this year. The theme of the conference would be Punjab in Canada. Mr Rupinder Singh disclosed that the conference would be an annual feature and the main thrust would be on rural economy and cultural projects.
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Conference on astrology
Chandigarh, December 18 The conference had general discussions on the role of astrology in the modern world, its benefits to the students and parents. Free consultation was also provided to the general public at large on subjects like marriage, divorce, study tours and foreign visits etc.
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Pensioners’ body passes resolutions
Chandigarh, December 18 The occasion was the celebration of Pensioners’ Day at Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, a press note said.
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Samples of milk tested
Mohali, December 18 More than 60 of the samples were found to be adulterated with water. The camp was inaugurated by Mr Anil Kumar Kaura, Director of the board, and conducted by the Joint Director, Mr Kanwalpreet Singh Mavi.
TNS
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Nayagaon clash: 1 booked
Mohali, December 18 According to information, Sayeed Mohammad and Bablu, brother and maternal uncle of the bridegroom, Subhan and Sameer, a neighbour, were injured when they clashed with members of the bride’s family yesterday. The father of the girl, Ramnath, was also injured. The police today booked Ramnath under Sections 452, 343, 148 and 149 of the IPC. Sources in the police stated that the girl’s father along with his supporters had planned to accost the newly wed couple at the District and Sessions Court yesterday where they were to apply for an anticipatory bail. The girl’s father had earlier got the boy booked on kidnapping charges. “However the couple came to know about the plan and never reached the court. The girl’s father instead went to the boy’s house in Nayagaon and picked up a fight with the Muslim family which led to exchange of blows.” Tension gripped the village as lathis were freely used by both the sides. It may be recalled that Subhan, a Muslim, had married a Hindu girl about a fortnight back in spite of strong opposition from their parents.
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4 computers stolen
Chandigarh, December 18 Mr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu of the Sector 44 based institute, Sandhu Chemistry Classes and Macadomia InfoTech, told the police that the thieves decamped with four computers and software being developed by the institute. The thieves allegedly gained entry by breaking open the locks of the front door. He told the police that the theft came to light this morning when his partner, Mr Amrik Singh, came to the office and found it ransacked. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, Mr Sandhu said someone familiar with the place was behind the theft. Without naming anyone, he alleged that the theft of software which they were developing for the past five years invoked suspicion in this direction. They informed the police about the theft and the cops reached the spot with forensic experts. Mr Sandhu further alleged that about four months back, CD ROMs were stolen from the institute along with a DVD player. He added that the DVD player was bought just two days before it was stolen. That time, the matter was reported to the police, but no case was registered. When contacted, the SHO of the Sector 34 police station said the police was investigating the matter and a case was registered.
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Two nabbed for snatching mobile phone
Chandigarh, December 18 Giving details of the arrests the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Sector 36 police station, Inspector Ishwar Singh Mann said Jobandeep Singh and Simerjeet Singh, both in early twenties, were arrested from their hometown in Faridkot, late last night. He added that the police was in touch with the cellular companies and had given the unique identification number of the mobile phone set to them. He said on October 25 this year, Ms Bindia, a paying guest putting up in Sector 35 lodged a complaint with the police alleging that a pedestrian snatched her mobile phone in Sector 35 during the evening hours. She was coming from Bajwara market to Sector 35 and when she reached near her residence a youngster snatched her mobile phone and fled. After hearing her cries the cops at a nearby naka rushed for help and gave a chase to the miscreant, but he managed to give a slip to the cops. The accused during the interrogation told the police that they threw the sim card and went back to their city. They said they were on a tour in the city. Later they used another sim card in the set and its number came on the call details that they made from the set. The police had asked the cellular companies to tab the phone set. The accused was today produced before a local court, which remanded them to police custody till December 21. The police is hopeful of solving more cases of snatching with their arrest.
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18 mobile phones stolen
Chandigarh, December 18 Mr Suresh Kumar of Maloya lodged a complaint with the police alleging that 18 mobile phones and Rs 24,915 were stolen from his shop Romi Electronics in Maloya Colony on Friday night. He said the thieves gained entry by breaking the window panes. A case of theft has been registered in this regard.
Porn CDs seized
The police today arrested a Kumhar Colony resident, Ravi Kumar, from his video parlour in Sector 23 and allegedly seized two porn films CDs from his possession. A case under Section 292 of the IPC has registered. He was later released on bail.
Purse snatched
Ms R.P. Bedi of Sector 4, Panchkula, reported to the police that two youths riding on a motor cycle snatched her purse containing a mobile phone, two ATM cards, a credit card, a jewellery box and Rs 2,500 from near Sector 22 and 23 traffic lights point yesterday evening. A case has been registered.
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VAT irks traders
Chandigarh, December 18 The Chandigarh Wholesaler Cloth Merchants Association in a press note said the increase in tax from 8 per cent slab to 12.5 per cent slab under VAT, in addition to the 4 per cent CST, will adversely affect consumers as well as traders. The traders and industrialists cell of the BJP has also protested. A meeting was held at the party office in Sector 33 today. The Chandigarh Industrial Association is organising a camp on Monday in Industrial Area, Phase II (Plot No 194) on VAT awareness.
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