Chandigarh, April 9
The immediate target of the Chandigarh Administration now is to extend the “neighbourhood schooling scheme” up to Class II, purposely for offering admissions to government schools.

To make the admission process more realistic, the Administration, after introducing this scheme for admission to pre-nursery classes in the government schools, is devising this policy for higher classes from the next session.

Education officials disclosed that the idea has been mooted out following the pattern adopted by the London schools system.

The administration is studying the density of schoolchildren studying up to class II in commensurate with the number of schools prevailing in the area. Since the children falling in this category will be from the age group of six, the funding part will be taken care of by the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan wing of the Education Department.

According to the new format, while at the time of admission, the only decisive factor will be to produce ‘domicile certificate’ to seek admission to government school located in the vicinity.

The DPI(S) SK Setia said, “There are other numerous benefits of this scheme. One is that since the schools will be at the walking distance, this practice will inculcate a “walking habit” among students. Secondly, there will be less traffic on roads during the school hours.”

But one school of thought is that the safety aspect of the children will be ignored with the implementation of this scheme. “Parents will not let their children of such tender age go on their own. Hence, the problem of school traffic congestion will remain as it is where it is”.

Administration officials feel that this scheme can be safely implemented in Chandigarh because barring a few private schools, almost all government schools are located on the inner roads of the city, it will be safe for the schoolchildren to go to school on foot.

Another reason, the administration is restricting admission process solely on the basis of proof of residence. It will avoid the overcrowding at schools located in particular areas.

The administration has already decided to depute 10+2 passout scouts, guides, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers for the traffic martial duty to regulate traffic near school gates.

The martials will be deputed at the main gate of the school from 7.30 am to 8.30 am and from 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm.

School heads have also been authorised to pay Rs 50 per day to the volunteers from the Work Experience Fund.

Mohali, April 9
For Bollywood glam girl Preity Zinta, the participation of women as spectators during the coming Indian Premier League (IPL) matches matters the most.

“I am looking forward to large spectators, especially women, to cheer up my team during the full of entertainment Twenty20 matches” said Preity Zinta following the meeting of the organising committee the Mohali team at Punjab Cricket Association stadium here today.

The short duration of the new-format matches would also suit the women fans, who find difficult to spare a day to watch the game, added Zinta while maintaining that she was also proud to be the woman partner of the IPL team.

When asked, whether the women spectators would get some special treat or incentives during the matches, Zinta said such things were not in the plans.

“Though I love to sell tickets to women and indeed there will be better facilities but there will not be some special zones or incentives for them (ladies)”, said Preity.

Meanwhile, Sukhbir Badal, who is also the chairman of the organising committee of the team assured full support to the orgnaisers.

As the matches will be held during the nighttime, special buses will be pressed into service to transport the spectators. Announcing this, Sukhbir Badal said for the first time, the buses as well as the other transport modes would be made available in front of the stadium, which will connect the main areas of the city with the stadium.

Unlike the other international matches, the organisers have decided to set up ticket sale counters in the major cities of Punjab like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala. “As the tournament involves state teams, we want that the spectators of other parts of the state should come to cheer their own Kings XI Punjab team”, said Preity Zinta.

Chandigarh, April 9
The Chandigarh Administration is all set to launch “Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna” aiming to provide health insurance cover to below poverty line (BPL) families. Around 300 BPL families will benefit from this scheme.

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna scheme is targeted to provide health cover insurance for the BPL families. The beneficiaries will be insured for an amount of Rs 30,000 per family per annum on a family floater basis to meet the health-related needs. Beneficiaries of the scheme will be issued special cards.

Sanjay Kumar, home secretary, UT, said deputy commissioner has been appointed as the nodal officer for implementation of the scheme in th UT. The government will be contributing 75 per cent share in the annual premium of Rs 561.80 (inclusive of service tax) per family, whereas the remaining 25 per cent share will be borne by the administration.

Therefore, the Central Government will contribute an amount of Rs 436.35, whereas the administration will bear a cost of Rs 125.45 per family. The scheme will cover hospitalisation expenses and take care of most common illnesses, including all pre-existing diseases.

RK Rao, deputy commissioner and nodal officer of this scheme, said, “A committee has been formed.” 

Chandigarh, April 9
The recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission have resulted in “serious discontentment” brewing in the rank and file of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Stating this here today, additional director general, north zone, Pranay Sahay said though some of the allowances have been hiked, the overall package leave much to be desired.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the Shaurya Diwas function here today, Sahay said the matted had been taken up with the government and presentations in this regard have been made to the Prime Minister’s Office as well a to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Moral and motivations at the lower level have suffered, he said.

Several anomalies have also been pointed out in the pay structure of IPS officers vis-a-vis IAS officers. Sahay said the pay difference in the two cadres at 15 years service works out to be as much as Rs 16,000-17,000. Since the UPSC does not differentiate between the IAS, IPS of IFS and the entry point and method is common for them, there should not be any discrimination in the pay structure, he said.

The discontentment in the CRPF comes at a time when 85 per cent of the Force in deployed in the “hard areas” like counter insurgency terrorist and internal security duties. Stating this while addressing officers and men, Sahay said despite the Force being stretched, its performance had been commendable.

During the last three years, the CRPF has killed 753 terrorists and apprehended another 7,469 in 1,111 encounters besides recovering 3,845 weapons, 14,467 kgs explosives and 4,300 bombs and grenades.

On the occasions, the Police Medal for Meritorious Services was awarded to 12 CRPF personnel. These included Comdt Sandeep Yadav, inspector Divakar Singh, inspector G.D. Rai, SI Manjit Singh, SI Ashwani Kumar, constables Prahalad Singh, Ram Bachan Singh, Bhibhuti Singh, Bhajan Singh, Hari Singh, Kapor Singh and R.A. Thakur.

Director-general’s commendations were also presented to several personnel. Several veterans of the Force were also honoured on the occasion. CRPF IG north-west sector R. Saxena and DIG Chandigarh Range A.S. Sidhu were also present on the occasion.

COMMUNITY

Paid parking bane of Sector 35 residents
Ramanjit Singh Sidhu
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 9
The paid parking lot of the Sector 35-C market is the bane of the residents of the area with the motorists parking their vehicles in front of their houses and in parks to avoid paying parking fee.

Residents rue that despite the fact that the matter was taken up with authorities concerned numerous times, nothing has been done. The heavy vehicles coming to the market not only use internal roads in the area, but have also uprooted poles installed in the locality to block their entry.

The truckers have turned the internal roads into “thorough fare” just to save parking fee or avoid being caught by sales tax officials. With the passage of heavy vehicles throughout the day and the youngsters driving motorcycles at breakneck speeds in the internal roads, they are afraid of allowing small children to go out even in front of their houses, said retired Major-General SS Grewal, a resident of the locality.

There was a vacant plot (2151) in the locality, which is being used to gain entry into the residential area. Besides this, anti-social elements, workers and the visitors to the market use these parks throughout the day and the presence of anti-social elements among them could pose a threat to the safety of the residents. Despite being informed several times, the beat box police officials and traffic policemen failed to act, alleged retired Captain GS Sidhu, another resident of the locality.

Describing the attitude of the traffic police, Sidhu blamed that once he called the traffic police helpline on 1073 to lodge a complaint regarding the wrongly parked vehicles. The person on the other side told him to lodge a complaint with the SSP (traffic), who would forward it to them for action. At this, he stopped calling the police.

Deputy superintendent of police (traffic) JS Cheema maintained that the police was doing its job. They challan wrongly parked vehicles and also remove them with a crane. Since they have only one crane, it is hard for them to remove each and every vehicle. He, however, denied that the police never responded to the call made on its helpline.

Chandigarh, April 9
Gen S. F. Rodrigues (retd) will inaugurate the four-day "Festival Baisakhi" at the Rock Garden at 5.15 pm on April 11.

The festival will commence with performances by the North Zone Culture Centre (NZCC) artistes at 5.30 pm at the Rock Garden, Phase III, and a folk nite by Dolly Guleria at 6.30 pm at the same venue.

The second day of the festival will start with cultural programmes by NZCC artistes from 10 am to 6 pm. The same day will also have classical performances by Ustad Mazhar Ali Khan, Ustad Jawaad Ali Khan, vocalists of Patiala Kasur Gharana, at 6 pm.

On the third day, the NZCC artistes will enthral the audience with their performances from 10 am to 5 pm. There will also be performances by Isha Foundation at 5 pm. A dose of laughter in the form of a ‘hasya kavi sammelan’ is being organised at 6 pm. For the theatre-loving people, a Hindi play "Court Martial" will be performed at 6.30 pm at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16.

The four-day festival will conclude with a musical nite by Pammi Bhai at 7 pm. The NZCC artistes will entertain the visitors from 10 am to 6 pm. No tickets or passes are required for the programmes.

It seems the entire thrust of the municipal corporation is on widening V-5 or other roads, little knowing that the position of remaining roads, including V-6, in the city has become so deteriorated that it is very difficult to walk on these roads. Similar is the condition of roads in MIG-I houses numbering 2694 to 2885, Sector 40 C, which gives a very shabby look. At some places, there are big potholes vulnerable to accidents. These roads might have been recarpeted many years back and presently needs recarpeting. In the recent past, several requests have been made to various authorities such as commissioner, chief engineer, municipal corporation, and also down the line officers, including the mayor, but no steps have been taken.

I request the authorities concerned to get the repair of these roads done to give a sigh of relief to the residents.

S.K. Khosla, Chnadigarh

Readers are invited to write to us. Send your mail, in not more than 200 words, at news@tribuneindia.com or, write in, at: Letters, Chandigarh Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh – 160 030

Chandigarh, April 9
The chain fast of teachers and students of Panjab University entered the third day today, demanding central university status for Panjab University. Prof G.S. Brar, chairman, department of physical education, Dr Kuldip Puri, DCS, and Dr Lallan Baghel from the department of philosophy were among the teachers who sat on the chain fast whereas Tanya Sharma from department of English, and Stanzin Dochom from department of laws were from amongst the students.

Besides a large number of students and teachers who visited the site, there were some prominent teacher leaders of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) who came to extend their support to the agitating teachers and students.

Jaipal Singh, general secretary, Government College Teachers Association, Punjab, Kuldip Singh, general secretary, PCCTU, Jagwant Singh, former general secretary, PCCTU, principal P.S. Sangha, former president of Federation of Principals of Affiliated Colleges and also of PCCTU were among them.

Principal Tarsem Bahia and Dr Rabinder Nath Sharma, both fellows of PU, also visited the site to extend their support to the agitating teachers and students.

Professor Manjit Singh, secretary PUTA, while thanking the visiting leaders of college teachers and fellows of PU assured them that with their cooperation, the day was not far when this university would get a much needed boost by attaining central university status.

In order to spread awareness among the students about the benefits of central university status, students’ council has already started signature campaign among students. It has been decided to collect at least 5,000 signatures of the students and send them to the Prime Minister of India, said Parminder Jaswal, co-coordinator of JAC.

Chandigarh, April 9
The annual day was celebrated at the premises of Kendriya Vidyalaya II, 3 BRD, here today. Air Commodore S.C. Lughra (VSM) AOC, 3 BRD, AFS, Chandigarh, was the chief guest.

The programme started with Saraswati Vandana. The students presented various cultural items which included Bam Bam Bole, action song remix, Haryanvi folk and Punjabi gidda.

Thereafter, an English play “The Price of Flowers” was a strong appeal to save the world from the evil of war and violence. The play also depicted the life full of superstitions, grief and sorrows etc.

Hindi play “ Bure Fasse Mehman Bankar” was based on storyline where confusion occurred due to guests’ stay at mistaken addresses.

Later, Renu Luthra, president, AFFWA-L, distributed the prizes. Assistant Commissioner S.S. Sehrawat, KVS, Chandigarh Region. was the guest of honour. 

Chandigarh, April 9
Actor prepares, an acting institute run by STEPS and Anupam Kher, will start its third batch from June 2.

Auditions for this batch of three-month duration will be held in Chandigarh on May 16 and 17. During the course, students will go through an intensive training, which includes classes in yoga, acting, voice and speech, film appreciation, martial arts, dance, choreography and camera classes.

At the end of the course, the institute also calls in the professional photographers from Mumbai for the portfolios shoot of the students. Regular interactive sessions are held with the actors and actresses 
from Mumbai to brush for students.

Chandigarh, April 9
In the wake of the introduction of 20 per cent component of experimental skills in physics segment of All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), the Fusion Institute of Physics Practicals has come up with a fully-equipped lab for practical applications at Sector 2 in Panchkula. The examination is going to commence from April 27.

Dr K.S. Upadhaya, a doctorate in physics, said this lab would cater to the aspirants of IIT JEE, CBSE for students of Classes IX to XII. “This is the only lab in tricity where we are charging Rs 2,500, including registration fee. We are also offering scholarship up to 25 per cent of fee for deserving candidates. Besides this, our teacher-student ratio is 1:15 in a batch”, he added.

About the pattern of study, Dr Upadhaya said, “We have designed assignments in the form of multiple choice questions as per the latest examination pattern. It is based on national curriculum framework of NCERT. 

Mohali, April 9
To mark the celebrations of the 29th Foundation Day of Yadavindra Public School, SAS Nagar, a fun-filled day called ‘Pagal Gymkhana’ was organised in school today.

The chief guest for the day was S.S. Srivastava, SSP, Chandigarh. The entire school, including students, teachers, office staff and class IV employees got together in the field to participate and enjoy different fun games arranged for them.

The day’s event started with a prize distribution for the academic 2007. The chief guest congratulated the prize winner and acknowledged the school efforts in encouraging the students to participate in all the events. The students from classes I - XII enthusiastically took part in different races like obstacle race, banana race, and monkey race. The inter-house relay for the teachers was the main attraction for the day, as it gave students an opportunity to witness their teachers competing. The race of class IV employees was another joyous event of the day. The prize distribution was done by the principal, Dr H.S. Dhillon. The winners include: Bhavneet Kaur, Jasleen Kaur, Sandeep Kaur, Gurkirat Singh, Harsimran Singh, Thupstan Nurbu, Huijin Jang, Palak Gupta, Nausheen Kaur, Shubham Rathore, Varinder Singh, Chandan Grewal, Mehnaz Preet Singh Chahal, Mridul K. Singh, Sikander Sharda, Amrita Singh, Jaskiran Nain, Simran, Seerat Khosa, Anmol, Rhythm Randhawa, Ada Gupta, Aikum Bhatti, Navneet Kaur, Suvarna Singh, Akanksha Rao, Nimrat Kaur, Gurfateh Singh, Sahil Nayyar, Advitiya Girdhar, Sharad Aneja, Kartik Kaushik, Angad Grewal, Simran Virk, Seonju, Vasundhara, Ravinderpreet Kaur, Manisha Shastri, Ruhani Kaur, Avneet Kaur, Amreen Singh, Kainaat Singh, Gurjinder Brar, Aman Preet Singh, Ankur Behl, Dishant Rishi, Harparteek Sandhu, Arshdeep Brar, Achhar Singh, Ameen Khan and Subodh Rai.

Chandigarh, April 9
To sensitise young children about values of peace, friendship and brotherhood, the peace club of KBDAV -7 and Yuvsatta organised a discussion on Indo-Pak friendship at the campus today.

Mubahsir Mirza, president of Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA), Pakistan, was the chief guest. Poonam Singh, editor, Preetlari, presided over the meeting. Mirza in his speech called for closer ties between youth of both the countries.

He said their NGO, CYDA, based in Sadikabad in Rahimayar Khan district of Punjab province, was promoting more and more youth exchange programmes between both the countries. 

Chandigarh, April 9
Nearly 10 years after the retort of gunshots had echoed against the walls of the Sector 17 district courts complex, Justice H.S. Bhalla of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today quashed the first information report (FIR) registered in the matter by the Chandigarh Police. The details of the order, allowing the petition for quashing the FIR filed by Shiromani Akali Dal Muktsar’s then president Manjit Singh Barkandi and five others, was not yet available. The petition was filed against the UT for quashing the FIR dated July 6, 1998, registered at Police Station Central under Section 147, 148, 149, 307 and 353 of the IPC, along the Arms Act. Directions for quashing all subsequent proceedings arising out of the FIR, including the Trial Court’s orders dated October 29, 2007, framing charges against the accused, were also sought by the petitioners. During the proceedings before the High Court, a witness Avtar Singh had attributed the injuries to fall on a sharp-edged grill outside the court complex; and had expressed his unwillingness to pursue the matter further. Another witness Kulwant Singh had denied witnessing the incident at all, while Harpreet Singh had claimed that injuries were sustained in stone pelting. Seeking the quashing of the FIR, the petitioners had added the matter had been amicably and voluntarily settled.

Moreover, a report on the inquiry conducted in the matter by UT Superintendent of Police, headquarters, had stated no offence was made out. The incident dates back to July 6, 1998. It was alleged that Barkandi’s supporters were involved in unprovoked firing. After the incident, the accused in the case were booked under the Arms Act, for attempt to murder and for rioting, armed with a deadly weapon.

“Supporters” of Harvinder Singh, accused of killing an S.A.S. Nagar resident Manjit Singh in the Sector 10 market, had allegedly gathered in and around the court complex while the accused were being produced. At that time, the police had claimed that the shooting, which occurred after Harvinder Singh’s supporters retaliated to the slogans being raised by the associates of the deceased, had continued for over 15 minutes. The police had added that11 empties of 9 mm stengun and two rounds of .12 bore gun were recovered from the spot, while three persons were injured.

Chandigarh, April 9
Quashing the penalty imposed by the Chandigarh administration on a lecturer of College of Engineering and Technology, Sector 26, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) specified that such penalty has “retrospective effect”.

The applicant, PS Sawhney, was charge-sheeted for misconduct and held guilty for which a fine of Rs 500 per annum was imposed on his pension.

The CAT, headed by vice-chairman L.M. Goyal and member (judicial) Jasbir S. Dhaliwal, observed: “The last plea of the applicant is that by the impugned order, the administrator, UT, has imposed a penalty of cut in pension at Rs 500 per annum ‘for every year of retirement’. Since the applicant had retired from October 31, 1996, the penalty order passed on July 31, 2002, has retrospective effect.”

Commenting on the penalty imposed by the administration, the CAT held: “An administrative order or penalty order, under the law, can be prospective not retrospective. However, this defect does not render the entire order of penalty as illegal.”

A resident of Sector 45, Sawhney stated that he was appointed as the head of civil engineering department in the college in 1977. He alleged that the administration was biased against him even before his joining. To establish this, he placed on record a letter sent to him in August 1981 by the director, technical education, UT, wherein he advised him to refrain from signing any office correspondence. He added that there was a clash of interest between those on deputation and UT employees.

Thereafter Sawhney was chargesheeted with allegations of misconduct while he was functioning as the head of the department, civil engineering. He alleged that he was chargesheeted with a view to deny him promotion. He further alleged that the witnesses in his case were false.

Interestingly, the chargesheet was served to the applicant after he retired without taking the required preliminary permission from the president.

On the chargesheet being served after retirement, the CAT stated: “No doubt, the plea of the applicant did have some merit. In this case, the applicant stood chargesheeted in 1989 itself but he approached the Tribunal and obtained a stay in 1991 and the application came to be disposed of as premature in 2001 as the applicant stood retired then.”

The CAT added that holding an inquiry after retirement on the charge of misconduct during service is permissible.