Chandigarh, March 11
The Panjab University Syndicate today decided to hike fee of certain professional courses. An across the board 10 per cent hike has been approved for chemical engineering and technology, food technology, MBA, B. Pharmacy, M. Pharmacy and certain other courses.

The Syndicate members considered the recommendations of a committee constituted by the Vice-Chancellor that had suggested a 15 per cent increase in fees and charges of all courses except for those in the category of partially self-supporting programmes in which case the fee structure is generally pre-set. The Syndicate finally agreed for a 10 per cent increase.

The Syndicate also decided to warn officials concerned of the examination branch regarding the wrong declaration of the B.Ed (correspondence) results.

The marks had been reduced because the allotment for marks in a practical paper had been decreased to 30 from 50. Confusion arose because some answersheets were evaluated for 50 marks and others for 30. Instead of following the correct procedure, the officials are said to have taken a decision at their own level.

In yet another blunder, answer- sheets of M. Sc II (mathematics) were evaluated for which the paper had been cancelled. Students were not satisfied even when they appeared a second time. Warning would also be issued in this regard.

The university has fined Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Abohar, a sum of Rs 2 lakh for offering a course in physical education for which it had not sought affiliation from the university. The college has been asked not to conduct any classes from the forthcoming session. The college has already cleared two batches of students and the ongoing batch has been given a chance by the university.

The Saint Sahara College of Physical Education, Muktsar, has been fined Rs 50,000 for running the BP.Ed course without proper sanction.

The university would be calling a special meeting of the Syndicate to discuss certain crucial issues, including the controversy over the salary structure of teachers in Dhanvantry College, sources said.

The Syndicate also decided that women would continue to be principals of women colleges. However, in cases where no suitable candidates were available, the charge would be handed to male principals, the sources added.

Mohali, March 11
The hard work put in by Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) functionaries paid off when the third day’s play of the second Test match between India and England started on the scheduled time.

The commendable job of sopping the rainwater accumulated in the field following the overnight rain thus making the ground fit for play by the PCA authorities not only amazed all people but also surprised the cricketers, foreigner officials, mediapersons and spectators.

“As the rain continued till 5.30 am it seemed impossible to start the match before lunch. But, the commencing of the match dot in time was really surprising,” said Martyn Hughes, a foreign spectator.

The umpires were also overheard saying before entering the field for the first inspection of the field that most of the day would be spent sipping coffee and tea.

But, all were taken aback to see the ground fit to resume play. “To make possible the impossible-looking job, we put in four soppers (soakers), including two “super soppers”, along with a force of 40 persons for over five hours”, said Mr M.P. Pandove, honorary secretary of the PCA.

The weather God also seemed pleased with the hard work of the PCA that it did not hamper the third day’s play. The stands of the stadium were also seen well occupied as people thronged the venue to see Kumble taking his 500th Test wicket.

Meanwhile, bowing to the pressure of low attendance and major part of the match being washed out in the rain, the PCA has decided to reduce the prices of the tickets of general and VIP stands for the remaining two days. Now the people can purchase the general block ticket for Rs 50 whereas the VIP block ticket will be available for Rs 300. Earlier, the rates of the general and VIP blocks were Rs200 and Rs1500 respectively. The fans can also purchase the tickets for both days at one go.

Much to the disappointment of cricket enthusiasts as well as the organisers, the Met Office has forecast one or two rainy spells and cloudy sky throughout the day tomorrow.

Chandigarh, March 11
The Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in its report on the 92-ft tunnel which was dug up by Jagtar Singh Hawara and his three other accomplices to escape from the Burial jail on January 22, 2004, has said the tunnel could have been dug up with small tools like a "khurpa" and not power-operated tools.

In its report submitted to the SSP and produced in form of a supplementary challan in the court of Judicial Magistrate (First Class), the CFSL has said the digging of the horizontal tunnel may have ended in the "fansi" barrack compound itself without an opening.

The tunnel with a flat floor, vertical sides and arched roof was 25- inch wide and 32-ft high in the middle and 92-ft long. Digging beyond 92 ft could not have been possible due to the loosening of the roof soil.

Wooden planks had been used to hold the walls. A Y-shaped stick could also have been used as a tool. The stick had apparently been taken from a tree in the hospital barrack.

The loose earth taken out from the tunnel had been "adjusted" in the compound itself. The "back filling" of earth was not very old and could have been done after January 2000. The junction box on the wall of an unattached toilet had been used for light.

Stones, pebbles, brick and mortar were found in the soil and the walls of the trench were dotted with pieces of carry bags, cloth, plastic and brick. The tunnel was not closed because of investigation purposes. The CFSL had ordered to keep it open until it finished probing how the tunnel was built.

Rajpura, March 11
An 18-year-old youth died following alleged negligence by a local doctor near the bus stand here.

Harpreet Singh of Dhankansu village, who is a class XII student, was taken to the clinic of Dr Maninderjit Singh on March 8 following fever. However, when his condition deteriorated he was shifted to the clinic of one of his relatives by the doctor, the boy’s father, Mr Davinder Singh, alleged.

The father stated that he was referred to a hospital in Sector 34 of Chandigarh only when there were slim chances of his being treated. The boy died today. Had he been shifted to a better hospital in time, he could have been saved, Mr Davinder Singh asserted.

Meanwhile, refuting the allegations of boy’s father, Dr Maninderjit Singh, claimed that best possible medicare was given to the victim. When his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to a better hospital here. In fact, the father of the boy accompanied the boy to the hospital, Dr Maninderjit Singh claimed.

No case has been registered so far.

Dera Bassi, March 11
A member of the Zila Parishad, Mr Kuljit Singh Randhawa, was today unanimously elected the president of the Bassi Mubarikpur Truck Operator Union.

The name of Mr Randhawa was proposed, among others, by Mr Pawan Mohindru, a former union president. Similarly, Mr Manjit Singh was elected as the chairman.

The meeting, which was attended by Mr Narinder Sangha, and Mr Varinder Brar, SDM and the DSP, respectively, resolved to work unitedly for the welfare of the truck operators and general public.

Mr Randhawa said his priority would be to provide better services to the general public.

Panchkula, March 11
Four cows were electrocuted near Aggarwal Bhavan, Sector 16, Panchkula. This was noticed by a newspaper hawker early this morning and he informed the nearest house owner, Mr Jaswant Singh.

Many people gathered before the police arrived on the scene. The loose live wire was said to be cause of the accident occurred last night.

Chandigarh, March 11
In connection with the recovery of 11 stolen cars from nine persons, including seven Punjab Police constables, the operation cell of the Chandigarh Police today recovered another stolen Maruti Zen car from Hardyal Singh.

The car had been sold to Hardeep Singh in July 2005 for over Rs 2 lakh.

The police said several other members of the inter-state gang, including the Mumbai-based kingpin and some registration officials were yet to be arrested and more recoveries were expected with their arrests.

Mohali, March 11
Thieves decamped with stereo players, CD players and other items from six cars parked outside houses in Phase II here last night.

According to the police, the thieves decamped with various items after breaking the windows of the cars. Some residents of the area had witnessed some persons in cars who were suspected to be involved in the thefts, but they fled from the area when people raised the alarm.

The matter was brought to the notice of the police who is investigating the case.

Chandigarh, March 11
The Tally Education Services Group today announced its Global Online Certification Programme in Chandigarh with two tests, the Tally Financial Accounting Certification and the Tally Technologies Certification.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Avinash Gupta, CEO (Education and Training Business) of the company, said Tally had also tied up with Punjab Infotech and was in the process of starting a number of related courses in various government colleges of Punjab. He said talks with Panjab University, Guru Nanak Dev University and Punjabi University were also on.

The certification programme would enable students from any educational background to take a test by paying Rs 990 at any Tally Academy. Those successful would receive a competency certificate declaring them as certified professionals, Mr Gupta said. They could also avail of placement services from Tally.

The company also planned to set up 70 more centres within a month across Punjab and hoped to generate 5,000 employment opportunities in the area of financing and accounting.