Chandigarh, October 2
In the run-up to the battle of votes for the Haryana Assembly elections on October 13, political bigwigs are set to spice up the campaign in Chandigarh’s periphery.

While union tourism minister Kumari Selja would hit the campaign trail in Panchkula on September 3 in support of Congress candidate DK Bansal, other parties are also roping in star campaigners to swing the voters in their favour. As the election fever reaches a crescendo, the final schedule of VIP visits is being worked out.

According to information, LK Advani, senior BJP leader, will campaign for party candidates on October 5 at the Ambala cantonment.

Sources said while the BJP and the Congress were relying on national leaders for the campaigning, for the INLD and the HJC, former Chief Ministers Om Parkash Chautala and Bhajan Lal were the key campaigners. Even Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is expected to chip in for the alliance partner, BJP, in areas adjoining Punjab.

The sources said the parties were waiting for confirmations from the VIPs, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party general secretary Rahul Gandhi, BJP president Rajnath Singh, UP Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati, senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley.

Since the top leaders were also campaigning in other parts of the country, the programmes were finalised keeping in mind their availability, a senior Congress leader said.

Local leader and union minister for parliamentary affairs and water resources Pawan Bansal will also campaign in the Assembly segments adjoining Chandigarh such as Ambala, Panchkula and Kalka.

DK Bansal said efforts were being made to rope in Sonia and Rahul Gandhi for a rally at Panchkula during their itinerary to give a boost to the Congress campaign.

Vineet Joshi, media coordinator for the BJP in the Haryana elections,, said the final programme of the top leaders would be known in a day or two following which the party would announce the programme for the public rallies and press interactions.

Chandigarh, October 2
The post of the general manager of the Lake Sports Complex (Lake Club) has come under a cloud with allegations rife about the UT administration, which has “tailored” its advertisement to allow an applicant with “little merit”.

The intended beneficiary is a former Army officer supposed to be “close” to the top echelons in the administration. The issue has gained importance in the wake of the interviews for the post slated for October 5.

The earlier requirement of administrative experience of 15 years in the concerned field and in managing sports organisations has been done away with.

Seeking “preferably a sportsperson of merit”, the Chandigarh Sports Council, this time, has sought a GM with experience of “managing club, hotel, large organisation with public interface and having knowledge of financial accounting”.

One of the applicants pointed out that “the Lake Club is specially marked for sports, besides other club activity, but the advertisement appears as one for a routine socialising club. The administration should be looking for sports personalities with rare distinction and experience to serve the purpose of an exclusive sports body and club activities”.

The advertisement has sought a “graduate” from a recognised university with preference of higher education in sports management and having a background and knowledge of sports, preferably a “sportsperson of merit.”

Should not sports as background be compulsory instead of being “preferably?”, another applicant asked.

In the advertisement dated August 24, 2004, the administration sought “a graduate with preference to higher education in sports management; sportsperson of merit and adequate knowledge in supervising accounting”.

It also sought administrative experience of 15 years in capacity as a Class I officer. It also made a special mention of “experience in managing sports organisation or social clubs or organisations in public interface”.

Dissatisfaction with the selection procedure and allegations of a possible bias have already been levelled at various levels in the administration.

A candidate is learnt to have formally lodged his reservations on the issue with the administration. It has also been pointed out that the club was “underutilised” despite its prime location and great public expectation.

A senior officer of the administration, denying allegations of favouritism, said: “The issue was being unnecessarily blown out of proportion by a candidate with vested interest. All applications are being taken up as per merit and interviews would be carried out as scheduled.”

Chandigarh, October 2
Amar Singh, a teacher with the UT administration, has finally been dismissed for cheating the department by using a bogus degree to enjoy the benefits of a lecturer for almost 15 years.

Amar Singh, who was suspended almost two years back for possessing a fake degree of MSc (mathematics) issued by Magadh University, had been working as a teacher of mathematics at Government Model Senior Secondary School at Sector 22 here. He was caught unawares when a special team of officials of the education department, on a visit to Bihar University, found that the teacher never appeared in any examinations.

The certificate, issued on June 6, 1992, as “Magadh University Provisional Certificate”, stated that Amar Singh had passed the MSc (mathematics) examination under roll no. 2240 of the university held in July 1990 and was placed in first class. The investigating team verified that no one by the name of Amar Singh appeared on that roll number.

Though Amar Singh claimed that he cleared the examination held at Patna, but it was revealed that he never took any leave during the said period to take any examination. Amar Singh, a master cadre teacher, joined Government Model Senior Secondary School at Sector 35 in March 1983 as a science master (non-medical). After acquiring the degree, that too a provisional certificate, in 1992, he worked at various schools in the capacity of a lecturer.

The department evaded taking any decision in the matter for some time, and Amar Singh kept getting a major chunk of his salary even though he had not marked the mandatory attendance in the department for nearly three months. It is reported that the Home Secretary took exception to it and took the decision.

Chandigarh, October 2
Rather than opting for the latest technology for the construction of a second multi-level parking in Sector 17, the Chandigarh MC is going retrogressive. At a house meeting it was decided that the multi-level parking would be constructed in the traditional manner.

Whereas the multi-level parking, which was approved by the MC about four years ago in Sector 17, is going to be semi automatic. It raises the question that if the house, four years ago, cleared the semi-automatic multi-level parking, did it have no vision or the members of the exiting house are least bothered about what technique they are opting for upcoming projects.

The study of the engineering department, which was tabled in the house for the multi-level parking, clearly stated that if the corporation opted for traditional parking there would be wastage of space in ramps for entry and exit. Even the number of vehicles to be accommodated in the traditional parking would be less as compared to the semi- or fully-automatic parking. When the agenda was tabled in the house, a number of councillors had raised queries that it did not carry technical details on what kind of parking would be suitable as per the demands of the future. They had even raised the point that when the corporation appointed consultants for routine purchases to get the best, why were the authorities not going in for the same for this major project. But the house cleared the proposal of traditional parking without considering the suggestions of the councillors. However, the house approved the pilot project of semi-automatic multi-level parking at Sector 17, which had the provision for 1,200 vehicles as the corporation wanted to facilitate tourism in the city. As per the records of the house, the issue of traditional parking was also discussed, but was rejected by the councillors as it was considered outdated. The proposal of semi-automatic multi-level parking was mooted by councillors who had gone to Singapore.

COMMUNITY

Cap on Inter-bank ATM Transactions
Technical hitch delays execution
Ruchika M. Khanna
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 2
The recent directive by the Reserve Bank of India, capping the free inter-bank ATM transactions to a maximum of five per month, may not be implemented immediately.

Customers can continue to avail themselves of free third-party ATM transactions, as most banks will have to make various technological changes in the ATM machines.

Though the Indian Bank Association (IBA) had tentatively decided to implement the changes from October, most banks say that they would need at least two months to prepare for the modifications, capping the use of third party ATMs and the currency withdrawn in each of these transactions.

Banks would have to make modifications in their ATMs, so that every time a user exceeds his quota of five transactions, an alert is conveyed to him, said a senior official of State Bank of Patiala.

Technically, banks have now been allowed to impose the cap on free third-party transactions by the RBI. But the IBA has to finalise guidelines for the same. However, some banks like ICICI have already started issuing notices to its customers, wherein they have said from October 15, the bank customers could avail only five free third-party ATM transactions per month, with a cap of RS 10,000 per transaction.

Chandigarh, October 2
A Sector 18-based woman has accused the Chandigarh police of dragging its feet on proceeding against a Sector 22-based private health centre over a complaint pertaining to treatment for the past three and half months.

The victim accused police officials of being hand-in-glove with the centre authorities, which had been influencing her to reach a compromise.

The complainant, Kuldip Studley, lodged a complaint with the UT SSP apprehending that the police report and records could be manipulated to distort her case.

Studley alleged that she had taken a treatment from the health centre by paying Rs 15,000, which affected her adversely.

She told the SSP that after lodging the complaint no one from the police contacted her. After waiting for three weeks she called up on the telephone number mentioned on the public window receipt and was advised to contact the police post-22. There she was told that the other side wanted a compromise with her.

The centre authorities offered to refund the amount asking her to take back her complaint, which she rejected.

Later, sub-inspector Kishan Singh Rana called the centre authorities, which offered to pay her more compensation. She rejected the offer and signed her statement.

She kept enquiring about the fate of her complaint every week with Rana, but to no avail.

Later, she was told that some Hisar-based doctor had taken the responsibility for her wrong treatment.

He also told her that the doctor could only come during the weekend to record his statement but nothing happened for another three weeks.

Expressing apprehension that her complaint had been stuck with the police, she feared that it would never translate into a court case.

Frustrated at the hands of the police official, she contacted DSP (Central) Jagbir Singh who confirmed that there were two letters from doctors claiming that they had treated her.

Studley requested the SSP to safeguard the letters apprehending that the evidence could be tampered with.

However, the in-charge of the police post said the complaint had already been disposed of.

The centre authorities claimed that she had not followed the prescribed treatment.

She had also given reference of her earlier complaint lodged on June 22, this year, on which no action had been taken.

Chandigarh, October 2
Members of the National Conference of Dalit Organisation (NACDOR) have threatened to burn the effigy of the Chandigarh administration if the authorities failed to invite them for resolving issues with regard to discrepancies in reservation of SC/ST/OBC seats in various departments.

Stating this to the mediapersons here today, BR Tisawar, convener NACDOR, said in spite of the orders from the court that the vacancy-based rosters could operate only till such time as the representation of persons belonging to the reserved categories, in a cadre, reached the prescribed percentage of reservation, the secretary, social welfare, UT, had sought clarification from the union ministry of personnel, public grievances and pension, whether the backlog identified prior to the introduction of new instructions regarding the post based roster w.e.f. July 2, 1997 was to be carried forward or eliminated.

Tisawar further announced that the children of the Dalit and backward community would also gherao the residence of local MP Pawan Kumar Bansal as he had failed to fulfil the promises made to the community during the last parliamentary elections. Earlier, addressing the members of NACDOR, who had organised a silent demonstration in Sector 17, former mayor Adiwal said he would support their organisation for getting their demands fulfilled.

Chandigarh, October 2
Taking a cellular company to task for adopting unfair practices, the consumer forum has slapped a Rs 10,000 penalty on it for causing harassment and monetary loss to a complainant.

The complainant, Sunil Kumar, a resident of Mani Majra, had subscriber with Airtel. On receiving a massage from the company to play a contest and win a Skoda Octavia car, he participated in it from December, 2008 to February, 2009 and scored 1,600 points, which was confirmed to him by Airtel through different messages. Thereafter, he visited the office of the company several times and sent e-mails to know about the status of the game as well as its winner but got no response from the company.

It was averred that Airtel instead of declaring the winners of the contest again sent a message to the complainant to play the contest and win a Skoda car.

He was charged Rs 6 per minute for participating in the contest and for scoring 1,600 points he had to spend a huge amount. In spite of that, the company failed to disclose the outcome of the contest as well as its winner.

In their reply, Airtel stated that they had started an “Airtel Dhamaka Contest” from November 17, 2008 to February 14, 2009 for subscribers of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and the winner was to be selected from 20 top scorers through a lucky draw.

It was stated that the complainant was not in the top 50 scorers and the minimum score of top 20 subscribers was 15,030 and maximum 1,12,030, whereas the complainant scored just 1600 points.

The lucky draw was conducted in the presence of an independent judge i.e. Harpreet Singh Brar, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, and the winner, Inderpal Singh, was selected on the basis of the draw, which was fair and transparent, it contended.

The forum observed that it was an unfair trade practice adopted by the company whereby they misled their subscribers, earned lakhs of rupees to themselves and did not inform any of the contestants as to what their position vis-à-vis other contestants was.

There might be many contestants who wanted to know the result but out of thousands only one, i.e. the complainant, had come forward to seek information in this respect.

The company might be holding such contests from time to time and enriching itself at the cost of subscribers.

The forum further opined that the least required of the company was to inform each of its contestants through SMS after the session of each day’s play as to what their total score was and their rank in the list of contestants playing for the contest.

The forum added that such contests had become common and were organised by almost all mobile companies in the region.

In order to safeguard the interest of subscribers, it is necessary that general instructions are issued to all the mobile companies operating in Chandigarh to inform its subscribers/contestants through SMS the total points scored by each of them at the end of session of each day and also to inform their standing in the list of contestants. When the contest is closed, the mobile companies, shall without any unnecessary delay, inform all contestants about the top 20 or 50 contestants and the position of the each subscriber playing the contest.

Chandigarh, October 2
Not being able to find a “perfect bride” for its client has cost a marriage bureau dear as the District Consumer Disputes and Redressal Forum has directed the Chandigarh Marriage Bureau to refund Rs 3,300 which it had charged from the complainant along with Rs 3,000 as litigation costs.

The complainant, RS Sachdeva, a resident of Sector 77, Mohali, availed the services of the bureau for searching a suitable match for his son, Haninder Sachdeva, a British citizen, by paying Rs 3,300 on May 31, 2008. It was alleged that he contacted the bureau numerous times personally as well as telephonically before arrival of his son, but they always gave false assurances and never came forward with even a single matrimonial match for his son.

He even informed them in advance that his son would be visiting India in October 2008 for three weeks, especially for marriage, but they did not pay any heed to his request. It was averred that for visiting India his son spent around Rs 70,000. When they failed to provide the promised service, a legal notice on the bureau.

In its reply, the bureau asserted that efforts were made to search a suitable match for the son of the complainant. There was a scheduled programme of the son of the complainant who himself informed that his son would visit in October for some domestic work and in order to meet the relatives as he had never visited India for the last many years. It was pleaded that they arranged a number of meetings with the parents of the marriageable girls, but it was the complainant who never showed any keenness and refused to accept any proposal.

Not only this, an advertisement was also given in newspapers at the expense of the bureau in order to find out the suitable match for his son.

Chandigarh, October 2
Even as Gandhi’s autobiography “My Experiments with Truth” has inspired people across the world, people here have shown little interest in studying the philosophy of the “Father of Nation”, if sales of the book are any indicator.

While people across the globe were going through the autobiography and other publications to learn more about Gandhi, there were hardly any takers for these on his birth anniversary that was observed throughout the country today.

Rattan Lal of Variety Book Store in Sector 17 said students, on the recommendation of their teachers, were the only ones who purchased these books. Even then, they sold just a couple of books in a period of over three months.

He said even though these books were available at every bookstore and were reasonably priced, younger generation showed little interest in learning about Gandhi.

Youth were only interested in purchasing novels or fiction and October 2 was just another national holiday for them to enjoy at home or to go out for picnic with parents or friends, he added.

Bhupesh Bhateja, proprietor of Universal Book Store, said he sold around 200 copies of the autobiography annually.

He claimed that he was able to sell around five copies of the book today and youngster who purchased them were in the age group 18 to 20.

Bhateja said except litterateurs or book lovers, the common man had least interest in the life of the Mahatma.

He said some elderly often took these as gifts for their grandchildren so that they could know about the simplicity of the Mahatma and his role in the freedom of the country.

He, however, added that he had a special clientele that frequently enquired about latest publications on great leaders.

Chandigarh, October 2
To promote voluntary blood donation, employees of the State AIDS Control Society (SACS) and the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) have signed consent to become voluntary blood donors.

“To save the lives of needy, 28 employees have taken an initiative for being regular blood donors,” said Dr Vanita Gupta, project director, State AIDS Control Society, Chandigarh.

“Our goal is to ensure that blood is available to patients whenever and wherever it is needed because it is the blood on the shelves that helps saves lives,” said Dr Vanita. She said approximately 39,000 units of blood is required in hospitals.

Almost 115 units of blood are collected in Chandigarh everyday out of which 92 are through voluntary blood donation.

The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Delhi, has declared Chandigarh as the best state in blood transfusion services. There are four licensed blood banks in the city. Blood bank, PGIMER, is being upgraded as model blood bank. Starting of two-blood storage facilities at CHC, Mani Majra, and CHC-22 are under process, said Dr Vanita.

Meanwhile, a human chain was formed by the youth of Red Ribbon clubs in different colleges of the city to create awareness about voluntary blood donation on the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day.

Chandigarh, October 2
The exhibition ground of Sector 34 and circus ground of Sector 17 were auctioned by the municipal corporation here yesterday.

The exhibition ground went under the hammer for Rs 11.31 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 7 lakh to Suresh Kapila. The circus ground went to Bittu Bajwa for Rs 1.5 lakh against the reserve price of Rs 1.25 lakh.

The auction of both grounds was held under the chairmanship of TPS Phoolka, Joint Commissioner, municipal corporation, and saw eight bidders.

Meanwhile, an idle truck parking in Sector 26 went to Niab Singh for Rs 61.75 lakh against the reserve price Rs 48.15 lakh. In all, eight bidders took part in the auction.

The authorities had to re-auction both grounds as in Wednesday auction the final bidder of Sector 34 failed to turn up to deposit the bid money and there were no takers for the grounds.

Chandigarh, October 2
The larger than life image of legendary Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi pervaded the auditorium of GN Public School, as his admirers, friends and poetry lovers paid poetic and musical tributes at a function organised by the Senior Citizens Association, Chapter 6, in collaboration with Kayayat Arts here today.

“The event Ikk Shaam Shiv Batalvi de naam is not coinciding with any anniversary of Batalvi, but we deemed it proper to remember the legend who took the Punjabi poetry to spectacular level, as part of our month-long social and cultural activities marking the International Day celebration,” claimed SS Lamba, the chapter president.

While close associates, artistes and writers of Shiv Batalvi, including Mohan Bhandari, Malkit Singh, Prof Kulwant Singh and others shared their memorable moments with Shiv, noted singers Taran Gujral, Govardhan Gabbi, Dr Anil Sharma, Pannu Parwaz and AIR artist SD Sharma presented choicest ghazals.

Promising child prodigy Wamiqa Gabbi of “Jab We Met” fame presented a song.

The guest of honour Surinder Gosain, an executive with The Tribune, presented a Shiv classic “Yardiya Rab kar ke” in a unique style.

The chief guest Naresh Kaushal, Editor of Dainik Tribune, complimented the association for promoting the literary arts through their functions.

Recalling his old association, Kaushal observed that Shiv writing in a romantic radical mould with metaphors and idioms weaved in deeply into folklore had given a new dimension to Punjabi poetry.

He exhorted the modern writers to emulate his literary elegance. Former mayor Harjinder Kaur, classical vocalist Pandit Yashpaul and dignitaries graced the occasion.

Chandigarh, October 2
First Friday Forum organised a talk on Gita- “The Eternal Light” by Prof AK Agarwal, president, Indian Mathematical Society, at Punjab Kala Bhawan, here today.

This was a special fixture to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

According to speaker, Mahatma Gandhi, who regularly read and quoted from the Gita, regarded Duryodhana and his party as the baser impulses in man, and Arjuna and his party as the higher impulses. The field of battle is our own body. An external battle is going on between the two camps. Krishna is the dweller within, ever whispering in a pure heart. Like the watch, the heart needs the winding of purity, or the dweller ceases to speak. According to Gandhiji, the Gita shows the most excellent way to obtain self-realisation. The Bhagvad Gita is regarded as a new testament of Hinduism. There is perhaps no sacred book in the world to equal it in the pure sublimity of its teachings, yet practical character of the ideal it places before the common man. Renunciation is the main theme.

Dr SS Bhatti, founder of the forum, summed up the discourse and said the Gita portrays two models of absolute perfection, Lord Krishna as the ideal teacher, and Arjuna as the ideal student, who deal with intellectual curiosity most comprehensively and completely.

Panchkula, October 2
“We have forgotten the advice of Mahatma Gandhi who cautioned us against the misuse of natural resources and thus we are facing natural calamities like famines, cyclones and floods,” said Mike H Pandey, three-time winner of the prestigious Wildscreen Panda Award, popularly known as the Green Oscar.

Pandey was the first Asian to have won the award in 1996 for his film ‘The Last Migration - Wild Elephant Capture in Sarguja’. Getting the award for the second time in 2000 for the documentary ‘Shores of Silence - Whale Sharks of India’, he continued his trail with bagging the award for the third time when his documentary ‘Vanishing Giants’ was adjudged winner at the Wildscreen 2004 Festival in England.

Pandey has been declared as ‘Hero of the Environment’ by Time magazine in their October issue, recognising his efforts to protect whale sharks, elephants, vultures and other species under threat. Pandey’s most enduring success is perhaps the weekly half-hour series ‘Earth Matters’, which has run on Doordarshan for 11 years.

The arrogant use of natural resources has already led to the food insecurity and water crisis, he said. “Mahatma Gandhi said earth had to satisfy everyone’s need but no one’s greed. We are changing the earth according to our need and greed and now the time has come to learn that nature is the mother and there was a need to protect it,” he cautioned.

“The abuse of natural resources has resulted in declining food grains in the world,” he claimed adding that, “Ten years ago the world used to have food grain sufficient for two years in stock and it has come down to nine months as of now. A crop failure in India and China can create worries for the governments as well as common man.”

Pandey, who was here on way to Shimla, was throwing caution to mankind over the arrogant use of natural resources, pesticides and killing animals, which had led to ecological imbalance resulting in food insecurity in the world.

“One of the main reasons behind decline in food production was the arrogant use of pesticides, which killed the butterflies and bees,” said Mike, who is making a documentary ‘Disappearing world - bees in crisis’.

A honeybee travels 80 km in a day with 2,000 blossoming pollination, he added informing that 80 per cent of food in the world would be evaporated with the extinction of butterflies and bees.

And it was the matter of worry for everybody as 47 per cent of bees in Himachal and Kashmir have already been killed due to arrogant use of pesticides.

“Similarly water scarcity is set to engulf the globe very soon as the rivers were being polluted by us draining every harmful thing in them,” he warned.

Lakhs of tonnes of paints being used in houses were being drained unknowingly in the rivers and as these contain heavy metals like mercury, cadmium and nickel, the consumption of such water was displayed in the changing health scenario in the country, he said.

Zirakpur, October 2
A section of residents of Mamta Enclave yesterday raised objections against the construction of a temple in a public park being carried out by the Mamta Enclave Welfare Association. However, the construction work of the temple was stopped by MC officials and the police who reached the site after the matter was brought into their notice.

Officials added that they would look into the issue and it would be solved after proper verifications as Mamta Enclave was not PUDA-approved colony.

The opposing residents claimed that the park was constructed only for children where they could play in the evening. Sumita Bhatt, one of the opposing residents, claimed that on Tuesday the Supreme Court had banned all unauthorised new constructions of worship places on public land and required strict compliance of its order from the state governments. Meanwhile, the president of Mamta Enclave Welfare Association AR Oberoi stated that the construction of the temple was started after the approval of the residents barring few who were opposing.

Zirakpur, October 2
The municipal council of Zirakpur is apparently making a habit out of changing its executive officers.

Available information indicates the council has changed five executive officers in over one year. According to residents of the area, this “habit” of the MC is affecting the developmental works of the area. The residents claim that the officer is changed even before he can settle and carry out an activity.

According to MC sources, Shatrajit Sharma from Mandi Gobindgarh will be the new executive officer. Sources reveal that he is closely related to a senior Punjab minister.

While executive officer Sukhjinder Singh Sidhu has been transferred to Dera Bassi, this may affect the work that was started by him. In his eight months tenure, he has worked on many projects. A tree plantation drive in Zirakpur is one of his major achievements. He had planned to construct a library and health club for Zirakpur residents, but now it seems it will be a distant dream for the residents.

In February, Sidhu was appointed as Zirakpur MC executive officer after Vijay Gupta, who was appointed an EO in December last year.

After the last year’s MC elections, RK Mittal was appointed as the executive officer but he was transferred from the Zirakpur MC to the Kharar MC in October last year. Later, Girish Verma was appointed as the EO but was suspended within two months. Then there was VK Jain, who was appointed for a single day as an EO.

“This kind of transfers will affect the development work of the area as the new executive officer will have to start the work from a scratch,” says one of the MC officials.

Chandigarh, October 2
Panjab University’s decision to incorporate MBA (off campus) of UIAMS, under a common umbrella of the University School of Open Learning (USOL), has not gone down well with the applicants, who have now resolved to take legal action in the matter.

While the university authorities claim that it has been done as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) and Distant Education Council (DEC), Delhi, students, however, argue that they had applied for the course in UIAMS and not USOL.

“We were not given any formal communication regarding the transfer of seats from UIAMS to USOL. It does not make any difference to the university, but for us it matters a lot. We feel cheated,” said Ranjeet Singh, an applicant.

The students claimed that they were asked to deposit course fee (Rs 16, 875 for 1st semester) for MBA (correspondence) in USOL.

“We are paying Rs 60,000 for the entire course, which is the fee structure for UIAMS and not USOL,” said Raman Vohra, another student.

About 100 such students had given representation to earlier Vice-Chancellor and later to the Dean University Instructions, Prof SC Vaidya, on September 9 and again on September 22.

Earlier, the university had released an advertisement for an entrance exam, (to be held on June 14) for 500 seats in MBA (off campus) in UIAMS. But only 250 seats could be filled up in the process.

Meanwhile, fresh directions from the DEC were issued and the university decided to merge the course in USOL and the students were informed to deposit the fee.

Besides, the new advertisement for the vacant seats was released this time for USOL. Subsequently, more seats were filled up making it a total of 400 seats.

The UIAMS, director, Prof AK Saihjpal, maintained that the students are being benefited in the entire process, since the introduction of a uniform national policy means more grants for USOL and increased duration for the students to clear their exam.

“Instead of two years, the students can finish their MBA in five years. This is a major benefit. Out of 400 seats, all the students have deposited the fee except three. The university has taken this decision only after the directions of the MHRD,” informed Saihjpal.

“The DEC has been formed to check the fake correspondence degrees being awarded by many institutes in the country. DEC directed the university to bring all correspondence courses under one umbrella to bring uniformity,” he added.

Chandigarh, October 2
After an effort of almost one year, 60 additional seats for BA (Hons), LLB have been approved in the University Institute of Legal Studies, UILS, Panjab University.

The Bar Council of India has sanctioned increase in number of seats from the current session, making the total number of seats to 180 now.

In a correspondence to the department on September 30, the council gave a nod to the infrastructure and other resources in the department for increasing the number of seats. The permission has been granted following an inspection by former chairperson of the council to the department NPS Sinha.

“It’s a matter of pride for the university that the council has granted 60 seats. UILS was inspected by the chairperson of the council and the infrastructure, potential, teachers and other facilities have been found up to the mark,” said GK Chathrath, Dean (Law faculty).

Earlier, when the course started, there were only 80 seats. Later, modification was made and the seats increased to 100 and gradually on implementation of OBC quota, it became 120.

The faculty members agreed that the increase in number of seats means that the meritorious students would not be deprived of admission in the institute now.

Meanwhile, the department is also a pioneer in introducing the subjects of insurance, law and banking law (already introduced in 1st year) in the curriculum.

Mohali, October 2
Genzyme, biotechnology company, today announced a tie-up with National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali.

Prof P Ramarao, director, NIPER and Sandeep Sahney, managing director Genzyme India Pvt Ltd signed the MoU in New Delhi in the presence of Ashok Kumar, IAS, secretary department of pharmaceuticals, Ministry of chemicals and Fertilisers, Government of India.

As per the terms, NIPER would be provided grants by Genzyme India to support its research programme. One fellowship of Rs10, 000 per month would be provided for two years to a postgraduate student and a second fellowship of Rs 16,000 per month for three years to a PhD candidate.

Based on the demands of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry and requirements of the pharmaceutical industry globally, the Government of India notified the establishment of the department of pharmaceuticals under the aegis of the Ministry of chemicals and fertilisers in July, 2008. This collaboration gels well with the department’s vision- 2020 for strengthening country’s biotechnology capacity.

Meanwhile, Prof PV Bhartam, department of medicinal chemistry, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, has bagged Ranbaxy Research Award for the year 2008. The award will be given to him in the field of “Pharmaceutical Sciences” which will be jointly shared by Dr GV Madhava Sharma, scientist F (deputy director), head-organic chemistry division III, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad.

The presentation ceremony of the award is scheduled for November 4, at New Delhi and will be presented by Nobel Laureate Prof Peter Dohetry, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Chandigarh, October 2
The Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee organised a function in Sector 20 to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi here today.

Hundreds of children carrying placards with slogans like “follow the morals of Mahatma Gandhi”, “non-violence was the great religion” and “follow the path of truth”, passed through various parts of the sector. They also took an oath to follow the path shown by Gandhi.

Rajeev Kathuria said Gandhi’s principles and ethics were more relevant in today’s time and exhorted them to follow the path of non-violence shown by the Mahatma, who had played a significant role in the freedom of the country.

Mohali, October 2
Students of Gian Jyoti Global School, Mohali Phase II, were dressed up in Gandhiji costumes to celebrate his birthday. A special assembly was conducted where these tiny tots introduced themselves.

The participants were intimated about his endless efforts for defending the nation from the clutches of the Britishers.

Ashmah International School witnessed unique celebrations with teachers bringing the Father of Nation and televised character “Munna Bhai” on the same stage.

Schoolteachers enacted a skit that depicted Bapuji’s teaching in “Munna Bhai” style giving message of endurance, harmony and patience. The skit was part of a week-long celebration, which concluded today. Principal Roopinder Ghuman said today’s cutthroat competition has made people self-centred.

The Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Mohali, celebrated Gandhi Jayanti as “a day of non-violence” on its premises at Mohali. Over 200 students of various vocational courses, staff members, instructors and rural people participated in different programmes.

Dildar Khan, director of the sansthan, said Gandhiji believed in the need to convince opponents of their injustice, not to punish them, and in this way one could win their friendship and one’s own freedom. Anand Mohan Sharma, deputy director, of the sansthan said Gandhiji’s concept of non-violence was important in present times.

At AKSIPS, Sector 65, an assembly was conducted by Iqbal House to celebrate the Gandhi Jayanti. Students sang in unison “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” and later, they students spoke about their favourite leader. Meena Batra, headmistress AKSIPS-65, urged the students to follow ahisma and spread the message of peace and unity.

Meanwhile, to celebrate the 105th birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, students and staff members of Shastri Model School Phase-1, offered prayers and performed havan.