Implement pension scheme, demand teachers
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7
In response to a call given by Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union (PCCTU) supported by Principals' Federation and Non-Teaching Employees Union, teaching and non-teaching staff of non-government colleges of Chandigarh ceased work after second period and marched from D.A.V. College, Sector 10, here to Punjab Congress Bhawan, Sector 15, to submit a memorandum signed by teaching and non-teaching employees of Chandigarh.

The march was led by Dr Jagwant Singh, general secretary, PCCTU, Mr Sudish Sharma, and Dr Anil Parti, president and secretary, respectively, and Mr R.K. Sharma and Mr Raj Kumar, president and secretary of Non-Teaching Employees Union, respectively.

The memorandum reminds Captain Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister Punjab and the Congress party the promise made in party manifesto at the time of February, 2002 elections to grant Pension-Gratuity Scheme.

Addressing the rally, Dr. Jagwant Singh, general secretary, PCCTU, said that an agreement could easily be worked out ensuring that government did not incur any financial liability up to 2010-11, provided the government showed a little bit sincerely and started serious discussions.

Mr Sudish Sharma, president of Chandigarh District Council of PCCTU, said that Punjab was perhaps the only state which had not implemented such scheme. Dr Anil Parti, secretary, Chandigarh District Council, said that if the government did not pay heed to the genuine demand of teachers and implement pension scheme, teachers of Punjab and Chandigarh will not hesitate to launch an agitation.

Sixth computer literacy programme begins
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7
The sixth senior citizen computer literacy programme was inaugurated at DAV College, Sector 10, here today.

Mr M.S. Brar, Director, Information Technology, was the chief guest. Mr S. Marriya, Principal, briefed the new batch of senior citizens about the course.

As many as 70 citizens are participating in the programme. They will be given basic knowledge of computers during the course. The college has been running this unique programme for the past three years.

Blood donation

The NSS unit of Government College, Sector 46, organised a blood donation camp in the college in collaboration with the Blood Bank, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, on Monday. It was inaugurated by Mr D.S. Laungia, Joint Secretary, Home, Punjab.

The Principal, Ms Usha Jindal, stated that another camp would be held on January 12 on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. She congratulated Ms Harinder Kaur, Mr Sahib Singh, Dr Baljit Singh and Dr Prasahant Gaurav, all programme officers of the college, for the success of the camp.

As many as 156 units of blood were collected. The camp was sponsored by the Lions Club Chandigarh Supreme.

De-stress centre at Saint Soldier

Mohali, August 7
To de-stress students through recreational activities as well as for the physical, mental, emotional, social and ethical development, Saint Soldier International Convent School here has set up various clubs for dance, music, sports, roller skating, creativity and computers at a nominal fee of Rs 25 per month.

The clubs have been integrated into the school's time table without affecting the academic curriculum.

Junior clubs (Classes 1-II) would function every Monday and Wednesday while the senior clubs (class III-XII) would function every Tuesday and Thursday.

The instructors for the clubs would include Mr Parminder Singh, Mr Manoj Nehra, Ms Satinder Kaur, Ms Kuldeep Kaur, Ms Gurmeet Kaur and Ms Shelly Ghai assisted by professionals Mr Amrinder Singh (skating and table Soccer), Mr Avneet Singh (football), Ms Ritu Thapa (basketball), Ms Dipali (dance), Mr Shravan Kumar (music) and Mr Sushil Dogra (martial arts). TNS

VC gives pharmacy students another chance
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7
The three-day strike of Panjab University students ended today with the Vice-Chancellor, Prof RC Sobti, agreeing to give another chance to the students to clear their examinations.

The students of the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS) had gone on strike, demanding that 22 students of the department who had not been able to clear their tests be given an additional chance.

According to Mr Rajaydeep Singh of the Panjab University Students Union (PUSU), over 20 students of the institute had been denied admission in the IInd and IIIrd years as the students had not been able to clear the preceding classes.

The VC reportedly told the students that their results would be declared tomorrow and those who had not cleared the examinations would be asked to apply for re-evaluation, following which those who did not pass would be given another chance to clear the test.

Following this communication the strike was ended by the students in the evening.

The students had earlier collected outside the VC’s office and raised slogans against the VC and Dean University Instructions.

Language laboratory at Sector 15 school
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7
A language lab for students of class V was inaugurated in DAV School, Sector 15, today. The school also has an upgraded library, which houses a separate reading room and is also equipped with computers.

Usha Gupta, Manager DAV-15, inaugurated the lab and library. Speaking on the occasion Principal Rakesh Sachdeva said that language is the basis of all education and hence proficiency is very essential.

Orientation programme at SSIET
Tribune News Service

Dera Bassi, August 7
As part of the beginning of the new academic session, the Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology (SSIET) organised an orientation programme here today.

In the orientation programme, students were apprised of the various departments, labs, workshops and library of the institute. Students were also introduced to Deans of various streams like cultural, technical, academic and student welfare.

The Chairman, Prof Avtar Singh2, advised the students to explore their potential and creativity during their stay at the institute.

CBI court issues notice to Burail jail officials
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7
Acting on the complaint of defence counsels in the Beant Singh assassination case, the Special CBI Judge, Mr R.K. Sondhi, today issued notice to Burail jail officials for allegedly flouting court orders by erecting iron grills inside the courtroom of the high-security Burail jail here.

In their application, the defence counsels claimed that the jail authorities had committed contempt of court by erecting iron grills which separated the defence counsels from the accused by at least five feet. This amounted to infringement on the defence counsels’ right to talk to the accused.

Following this, statements of Lakwinder Singh, an accused, under Section 313 of the Cr.PC could not be recorded before the Judge. The Judge issued a notice to Jail Superintendent and Deputy Jail Superintendent for tomorrow.

It may be recalled the statements under Section 313 of the Cr.PC are crucial for the trial. Earlier, the statements of two other accused Balwant Singh and Gurmeet Singh have been recorded.