Jalandhar, May 11
The various schemes to ensure compulsory education for all children seem to have fallen flat in this district as most government schools in the city have not been able to fill even a dozen seats in class I of the primary wings.

The admission scenario has been so dismal that despite the fact that the schools had started taking children from January onwards, they have not been able to gain a sufficient strength even still. The various incentives of the government to provide mid-day meals, and free books and scholarships to SC students too seem to have not encouraged the parents to send their children to the schools.

The Government Elementary School for Boys on Garha Road has got just 10 students in class I, despite the fact that the school is prominently located and is situated hardly a kilometer away from the Garha locality mostly inhabited by labourers, vendors and daily wagers. “Our school is situated on a busy road and most parents do not want their children to come here because of traffic problem,” said school official. “The parents have to produce birth certificate to ensure admission for their children, which no parents approaching us have.”

The Government Primary School for Girls on Garha Road, however, has got a better response. Nearly 29 girls have taken admission here but the staff members say that this is too low going by their previous record. The primary wing of Government Senior Secondary School on Ladowali Road too has got just 11 students. The District education officer (elementary), Joginder Dass, said he was not aware of the problem.

Chandigarh, May 11
When Manisha Gill breathed her last this morning, her gaze was fixed at the hospital door. Suffering from 80 per cent burns, afflicted upon her by her mother-in-law on May 6, Manisha was in no condition to talk. But her restive eyes indicated that she was desperate to see her children. She had been awaiting their arrival since the day her mother-in-law Harbans Kaur, now under arrest for murder, set her on fire on the terrace of their home at Khusropur village in Jalandhar.

Till 6 am today, Manisha hung on to life, waiting to see her children. But they were no where in sight. The Kartarpur police, handling the case, had failed to bring her two sons and daughter to get a last glimpse of their mother. This despite Manisha’s family’s writing to the police, requesting them to honour the victim’s last wish.

SHO, Kartarpur, Inderjit Verma, said the request was received very late last evening and there was barely any time to act. Manisha’s brother Amarjit, however, said the written request was submitted day before yesterday and verbal requests were being made from the day Manisha had been brought to New Ruby Hospital, Jalandhar, with 80 per cent burns. He also alleged that Manisha’s sisters-in-law deliberately brought her to a hospital so far away whereas they could have easily taken her to Kartarpur.

Whatever the truth may be, the victim’s sons were not present even for her last rituals today - something her family says the police should have seen to. “They had five days to bring the children, who are still in the custody of Manisha’s in-laws. We fear for their lives because they were at home when Manisha was burnt. May be they witnessed the crime,” said Jeeto Kaur, Manisha’s mother, who said Manisha was under pressure from her husband Ramesh Gill to divorce him.

He had immigrated to UK two years ago and was looking for ways to get settled there permanently.

Kapurthala, May 11
The process for setting up projects for expansion of production capacity to 1,400 coaches and establishing a new wheel shop kicked off at Rail Coach Factory (RCF).

The RCF general manager S.K. Suri formally inaugurated the commencement of setting up of these projects in a ceremonial function here today.

With the growing demand of rail transportation in the country, it was decided to enhance the coach manufacturing capacity of production units of railways.

RCF is enhancing the coach manufacturing capacity from 1,000 coaches to 1,400 coaches per annum. For execution of this project, the Railway Board has sanctioned Rs 55 crore.

Similarly, the board has sanctioned Rs 68 crore for setting up of wheel shop.

The projects includes additional bays in sheet metal shop, shell shop, furnishing shop and setting of new paint shop besides setting up of a new wheel shop. IRCON International Ltd, a PSU under ministry of railways has been awarded turn-key contract for civil engineering works and supply of machinery and plant.

These projects are planned to be completed by March 2008.

Presently the wheels are being purchased from some units located in different parts including Amritsar. With the completion of the projects, RCF will be able to manufacture wheels in its premises itself.

Phagwara, May 11
The Phagwara administration and police today launched a joint anti-encroachment drive on the GT Road. The squad, comprising a police team headed by Sukhwinder Singh, PCR in charge, Ravinder Singh Dhillon, traffic in charge and Dharamjit Singh, nagar council superintendent, conducted the drive.

The operation, which lasted more than two hours, started from the Sugar Mills Chowk and ended on the Gol Chowk. The squad removed hoardings put up along the road by some training institutes.

The NC said the drive would be made a regular feature to deter shopkeepers from encroaching roadsides.