The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

PAU-Audit Dept confrontation resolved
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 7
The confrontation between Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the local Audit Department appears to have ended following the receipt of a letter from the state’s Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr D.S. Kalha, addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh.

In his letter dated August 28, Mr Kalha has informed the Vice-Chancellor that if the university is of the considered opinion that certain objections raised by the audit authorities are not in accordance with the university rules, the Vice-Chancellor may order the release of increments, pay of such teachers, officers and employees in anticipation of the approval of the board of management of the university.

The same, however, may be placed before the board at its next meeting. If approved, the same will be brought to the notice of the Department of
Finance for further necessary action in the light of the Supreme Court instructions already issued by the department to the Examiner (Local Fund Account).

Dr Aulakh, in his letter of June 23, had brought to surface certain objections raised by the Audit Department on the appointment and fixation of pay of university teachers, officers and employees and how this is tantamount to infringement of the PAU Act and rules and challenging the decisions of the “competent
authority”.

In the ongoing debate between the university and the local Audit Department, the former had persistently insisted that the decisions of the |university authorities could not be challenged or objected to by the department, a PAU spokesperson said.

Moreover, the Vice-Chancellor is the “competent authority” to make decisions, since PAU is an autonomous body. In support of this, the university had often quoted the Supreme Court instructions circulated by the Finance Department, which, however, were often ignored by the Audit Department.

In his letter to Dr Aulakh, Mr Kalha has reproduced the same Supreme Court directive.

Dr Aulakh had also taken up the issue with the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. It was also discussed in some meetings of the board. The PAU Non-Teaching Employees’ Union, too, had been agitating. It gheraoed the Audit Department on Thursday.

The Supreme Court has held that the “state government is not authorised to interfere in the internal working of the universities’ functioning under their respective statutes” and that the Examiners (Local Fund Accounts) were being directed to act in accordance with the decisions of the “competent authorities of the university concerned”.

It was on this premise that PAU had all along maintained that the “competent authority” was the board of management, the Academic Council and the Vice-Chancellor”, that worked as per the university Act, rules etc; a point which audit would not recognise.

PAU Comptroller A.C. Rana has brought Mr Kalha’s letter to the notice of the local Audit Officer.

	Students bare social evils through poems Our Correspondent Doraha, September 7 The Youth Club of the local Guru Nanak National College organised a poetical symposium for the undergraduate and postgraduate students of the college today. Twentyseven students participated in it. Most of the participants recited their poems focussing on the ills of society, including female foeticide, dowry, cultural degeneration, moral laxity, drug addiction, communalism, etc. They even suggested reformative techniques to free society of such evils. Rampal Singh of MA-II, Punjabi, was declared first. Rupinder Kaur of MA-I, Punjabi, and Sandeep Kaur of BA-II were placed second and third respectively. Megha Sharma of BA-I was given consolation prize. Prof Pargat Singh Sekhon, director of the club, congratulated the winners and appreciated their creative talent. Prof M.S. Bhandari, Prof Mohinder Kaur and Dr Charandeep Singh were the judges for the competition. Dr Narinder Singh Sidhu, Principal of the college, was present. Prof Anudeep Sharma, English Lecturer, conducted the stage. Guest items were also presented by the students.
	“Exclusive Expressions” at Desh Bhagat institute Our Correspondent Mandi Gobindgarh, September 7 “Exclusive Expressions-2006” began on the campus of the Desh Bhagat Institute of Management and Computer Sciences here yesterday. It was inaugurated by singer Sardool Sikandar. Dr Zora Singh, chairman of the institute presided over the function. Ms Shalini Gupta, director of the institute, introduced the chief guest to the chairman and the staff. Sardool Sikandar declared the function open. Students presented dance and songs on the occasion. Ms Shalini Gupta said the institute had been organising such events from time to time with a view to provide student an opportunity to display their extra-curricular skills. She thanked the chief guest for sparing time for the function. Around 1,500 students and other persons attended the function.
	Class X, XII students told of career options Our Correspondent Ludhiana, September 7 A career seminar was organised at Government Senior Secondary School, Kheri Jhaneri, here yesterday for students of class X and XII. Mr Ajit Singh, Additional Superintendent Engineer, Punjab State Electricity Board, was the resource person. He told students in details about careers related to electronic engineering. He said students after completing Class X could go for a diploma in electrical engineering while after Class XII, they could go for a degree course. Headmistress Harjinder Kaur apprised the students of the institutes in and around Ludhiana that offered diploma and degree courses. Mr Karamjeet Singh talked about courses that economically weaker sections could choose. He said if the students did well, scholarships could be arranged for them. The chief guest, Mr Ajit Singh, was presented a copy of “Noor”, school magazine.
	From Schools & Colleges Seniors welcome newcomers Tribune Reporters Ludhiana, September 7 Senior students of MCA, BCA, M.Sc (IT) and PGDCA of the Khalsa Institute of Management and Technology (KIMT) organised a cultural show to welcome newcomers here yesterday. Swati Savlani of BCA IIIrd semester welcomed the newly joined students and assured them of full cooperation from the senior students. Dr R.S. Gupta, Director, KIMT, welcomed the guests. The celebrations started with lighting the lamp by the chief guest, Dr S.S. Grewal, vice-president, KIMT. The cultural extravaganza comprised a welcome dance, solo dances, group dances, solo songs and a skit. Pallavi of BBA Ist semester thanked the seniors for giving a warm welcome to them. The freshers were then asked to showcase their talents in fashion and personality radiance. Meenu Arora was chosen “Miss Fresher,” Sukirt “Miss Confident,” Pallavi Jain “Miss Catwalk,” Kanika Pahwa “Miss Personality” and Gurpreet Kaur “Miss Well-Dressed.” Creative-writing contest The English Literary and Debating Society of Master Tara Singh College for Women (MTS) organised a creative-writing contest in poetical composition, short-story writing, and essay-writing here today. More than 100 students participated. Dr Sahota, Principal of the college, appreciated the efforts of students and teachers for organising such programmes. Nutrition week The Department of Home Science of Ramgarhia Girls College here celebrated a nutrition week from September 1-7. During the week, a host of activities were organised to make the students aware of the importance of healthy and balanced diet. These included demonstrations on food preparation, lectures on “Nutritional value of foods,” “Protective effects of fruits and vegetables,” “Care during pregnancy,” etc. Interactive sessions on “Importance of soybean” and “Benefits of fermentation and sprouting” were also conducted by nutrition experts Dr S.Verma and Dr T. Gulhati. A nutrition quiz and a cooking competition on “Iron-rich recipes for teenaged girls” was organised. On the concluding day today, a food court, “Sanjha Chulha,” was set up where stalls of dishes prepared by the students were put up. Principal Harmit Kaur appreciated the efforts and the enthusiasm of the students. Environmental quiz Guru Nanak Public School conducted an environmental quiz here today for the students of Class IX. The teams were given the names of daffodils, marigold, duckweed, lotus, cactus, jasmine and hydrilla. Each team was represented by two students. Cactus team, consisting Harshpreet Kaur and Jaiditya Takkar, stood first while Daffodils team, consisting Jasmeet Singh and Avneet Kaur, stood second. The audience was also asked questions and given gifts for the right answers. Ms Harkiran, science teacher, conducted the quiz. Prizes were given away to the winners by Mr R.S. Gill, Principals of GNPS. Freshers’ day Samrala: The freshers’ day was celebrated at the girls’ wing of Malwa College, Bondli, Samrala, under the supervision of its in charge Prof Paramjit Kaur Sobti and Dr Kulwinder Kaur. Mrs Surjit Kaur, a Chandigarh-based social worker, presided over the function. The cultural programme began with a prayer song followed by a melodious welcome song by senior students. Folk songs, action songs, choreographies, dances, skits and a gidha were presented. Kamaljit Kaur won the title of “Miss Fresher” whereas Manjit Kaur and Prabhjit were declared the first and second runners-up, respectively. Harneet was declared “Miss Punjaban.” Priya was awarded the title of “Miss Beautiful Smile” and Anjali was declared “Well-dressed Punjaban”. Rupinder Kaur was awarded the first prize in singing competition. Mandeep Kaur and Kuldeep Kaur shared the “Best Actor” award. Charanjit Kaur was declared the best folk dancer, whereas Sharanjit and Harpreet Kaur jointly shared the second prize. While donating Rs 31,000 to the college on the occasion, the chief guest exhorted the girls to surge forward in life with self-confidence. The Principal of the college, Dr Shinderpal Singh, stressed the need to preserve traditional values and cultural inheritance. Prof Baldeep Singh, Dean, cultural activities, presented the vote of thanks.

HEALTH

Monsoon spells trouble for skin, hair: expert
Our correspondent

Ludhiana, September 7
The prevailing weather conditions are conducive for fungal infection of the skin, particularly around the feet. At the same time, the rate of falling hair goes up in this season which calls for more care of the whole body and the hair.

Addressing a health education programme at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here today, Dr Alka Dogra, Professor and Head, Department of Skin and VD, said that the mud or other dirty matter touching the feet led to fungal infections. The web space in between the toes had white debris in the form of candid fungus which resulted in burning and itching at the site.

As a preventive measure, people ought to clean the feet properly and apply anti-fungal dusting powder. It was also necessary to avoid staying in wet shoes for a long time. They should avoid wearing nylon socks. Preferably, cotton socks and open footwear should be worn. Those who suffered from allergies should avoid using rubber or plastic footwear.

Giving tips on body care during monsoons, she remarked that staying in wet clothes for a long time could lead to skin infections like fungal or bacterial infections. “Dry the body folds and put talcum anti-fungal powder on sides of the neck, the underarms and in the folds of legs.”

Dr Dogra said that normal hair fall tended to increase during the rainy season and about 50 hairs fell everyday in these weather conditions. She advised to avoid the frequent use of hair dryer on the scalp. Instead, a dry or steamed towel should be used like a turban to dry the hair.

Doctor wins patent for software
Our Correspondent

Dr Saroop Chand Garg

Ludhiana, September 7
Dr Saroop Chand Garg, a local doctor, has been granted patent by the Government of India for his novel invention of a medical software recently. This would help doctors reach accurate diagnosis. Dr Garg has been granted patent for his invention — novel apparatus for disease detection for human safety. The patent would be valid for 20 years.

Dr Garg said it was “relentless and restless” research for over 15 years that resulted in the development of the medical software that would enable doctors look for diagnosis options of patients by a single click of the mouse.

Dr Garg maintained that human memory was too small to retain the huge knowledge the medical science had developed. For that purpose, once a doctor noticed certain symptoms in patients, he could straightway look for possible diseases by a click of the mouse.

Elaborating on his software, he said it would help the medical fraternity the world over to reduce the costs of error by doctors.

SPORTS

Rural sports from September 10
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, September 7
The local edition of the annual block-level rural sports will be held between September 10 and 13 at A S Senior Secondary School, Khanna, and Kila Raipur. According to a press note issued today by Mr Gianinder Singh Sandhu, District Sports Officer, Ludhiana, these sports will be organised jointly by the Punjab Sports Department and the Sports Authority of India with the help of local panchayats, sports clubs and zila parishad.

The participants should be under 16 years as on December 31, 2006.

The games in the Khanna block will be conducted on September 10 and 11 at A S Senior Secondary School, Khanna, which include athletics, kho-kho, weightlifting for boys and girls and volleyball for boys and girls while those in the Dehlon block are slated for September 12 and 13 at Kila Raipur which include hockey and athletics for boys and girls, kabaddi and tug-of-war for boys and volleyball for girls.

The events to be organised during these meets are (boys) — athletics 100 m, 200 m, 2,400 m, 1,500 m and 3,000 m races, besides discus throw, 4x100 m relay, long jump, high jump, shotput (5 kg) and javelin throw (600 gm).

Athletics (girls): 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m and 3,000 m races in addition to 4x100 m relay, long jump, high jump, shotput (4 kg) and javelin throw (600 gm).

Weightlifting (boys): 56 kg, 62 kg, 69 kg, 77 kg, 85 kg, 94 kg, 105 kg and above 105 kg.

Weightlifting (girls): 48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg and above 75 kg; tug-of-war: total weight 480 kg.

Interested players and teams have been advised to contact Mr Gurmail Singh for participation in games in Khanna block whose mobile No. is 98151-85934 and for competition at Kila Raipur, they may contact Mr Paramjit Singh Grewal on his mobile No. 98157-62396.