UBS students, along with DSW Nawal Kishore, in a delighted mood after they called off their strike at Panjab University in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: S. Chandan

The UBS chairperson along with certain faculty members of the department had met the MCom girls last night as well. The girls were offered dinner by the teachers and were also provided with blankets. However, the girls refused to end their protest and demanded that the chairperson be made to submit his resignation.

Chandigarh, February 14
It was neither Stu-C at Panjab University nor the “happening” markets of Sectors 10, 11 and 15 or the Sector 17 plaza. Instead, the youth chose to go rural, preferring to spend time with their valentines in the secluded surroundings of water bodies and dams located up to 15 to 30 km along the city’s periphery.

Girls buy red balloons at Sector 10 in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: S Chandan;(RIGHT)Balloon vendors run for their buyers on Chandigarh roads on Monday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Thanks to the tight security arrangements by the Chandigarh Police to keep a check on eve-teasing and hooliganism, several couples went to Jayanti, Perch and Siswan dams to spend a special moment.

During a visit to these locations this morning, the Tribune team found only a handful of couples there, even though a large number of cars and motorbikes with Chandigarh registration numbers were parked all around these places. These stood testimony to the presence of couples in this area, which comprised thick growth of vegetation.

Garima Sharma, a student of the psychology department, spends time with underprivileged children at the university. Tribune photo: S Chandan;(RIGHT)Youngsters have fun on the Sector 10-11 geri route in Chandigarh on Monday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

“I don’t know what is going on today. We are amazed to see several couples coming here since morning,” said Gurjant Singh, a resident of Seonk village, located near Jayanti Dam.

A couple said they were students of MA (Hindi) at Panjab University and had chosen this location to mark the occasion. “We had planned to visit Siswan Dam today as the police unnecessary harasses couples in Chandigarh on this day. Here we not only enjoy each other’s company, but also nature and peace,” said Ajay, who was accompanied with his girlfriend.

Empty bottles of liquor at Jayanti Dam told a different tale.

A youth talks on mobile, seemingly ignorant of the pillion rider. Tribune photo: S Chandan ;(RIGHT)People visiting the Jayanti dam, near Chandigarh, make a face while crossing a number of empty liquor bottles on Monday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Just another day

Valentine’s Day appeared to be just another day at most places in the city. Lovebirds were missing from the traditional “geri” route, PU campus and the markets of Sectors 10, 11 and 15. Though a handful of vehicles decorated with heart-shaped balloons were seen zipping past Government College for Girls, Sector 11, or stationed in front of the PU girls’ hostels, the spirit was missing. “Time’s changed now. No one wants to roam around like Romeos, offering flowers. Those who are in a relationship have better ways to celebrate the day,” Jyoti Malhotra, a college student, said.

Khaki rules

Valentine’s Day remained largely peaceful in the city with over 700 police personnel remaining on their toes throughout the day. Heavy police force was deployed at educational institutions and gardens to maintain vigil.

51 Shiv Sainiks held

As many as 51 Shiv Sainiks were arrested while they were marching from Mauli Jagran towards the main road in protest against Valentine’s Day celebrations. The police swung into action after it received information at 11 am that Shiv Sainiks had planned to block traffic at the railway lights and disrupt law and order.

Chandigarh, February 14
In a decision that is expected to go a long way in streamlining the functioning of cooperative group housing societies in Chandigarh, the UT Administration has debarred non-resident members of cooperative group housing societies (GHS) from contesting elections to management committees.

Taking cognisance of several complaints, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Registrar Cooperative Societies (RCS) Brijendra Singh also directed that the office of the GHS be located within the premises of the respective societies. “Under Rules 45 of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Rules, 1963, members residing outside the premises of the society cannot contest elections to the management. Besides, the management of the respective societies will open their offices within the premises of the society to facilitate members resolve their problems. The requisite charges to maintain the office will be shared by the members of the society equally,” the RCS order states.

The order seems to be a fallout of a large number of complaints that certain unscrupulous members run the society managements through “remote control” from their offices outside the society. This resulted in non-residents calling the shots, particularly in the management of vast funds at the disposal of the societies. The manner in which many societies are functioning had resulted in allegations of mismanagement of the societies’ affairs, particularly with respect to funds.

The non-residents running the society’s affairs were “unable to safeguard the interests of the members and resolve their day-to-day problems,” the order states.

Sources said certain vested interests who had not been living in the societies were monopolising the society management in collusion with UT cooperative department officials. This left resident-members of the societies crying hoarse over provision of even basic amenities to them. 

Mohali, February 14
A no-objection certificate (NOC) has not been acquired by the PCA Stadium management from the fire brigade in connection with fire safety arrangements even as some ICC World Cup cricket matches will be held here next month. According to reports, three of these matches will be held in Mohali, the first being on March 3.

Station fire officer BS Sandhu said his office had so far not received any request from the management of the PCA Stadium to check the fire safety arrangements installed inside the building. He said since fire had broken out in the stadium twice earlier, the management should ensure that it was well-equipped to handle such incidents.

He said fire had broken out near the score board earlier and again in 2008 in the AC lounge area when fire engines from Chandigarh and other neighbouring stations had to be called to fight the blaze. He said even though he had received no request for checking the fire-fighting arrangements, he would try to visit the stadium tomorrow to see if the system was functional.

However, GS Walia, honorary joint secretary of the PCA, said the technical staff was on the job and all formalities would be completed before the start of the matchesin Mohali.

Chandigarh, February 14
Outshining boys in academics yet again, out of a total of 479 toppers in various subjects who received their degrees at the 60th Annual Convocation of Panjab University today, 351 were girls. While the share of girls was 74 per cent in the toppers’ list, another 30 per cent (147 out of a total of 479 students) received their PhD degrees today at the ceremony held in the gymnasium hall.

In his convocation address, CNR Rao, National Research Professor and who was conferred with the Doctor of Science degree (honoris causa) today, said among the top one per cent research work in the world, India’s contribution is less than one per cent whereas USA is contributing 63 per cent to the top research work in the world.

“We have to raise our contribution in global quality research from less than one to 5-10 per cent over the next 10 years,” said Rao.

He said a greater number of educational institutions, was not an indicator of development, it was the challenge of providing good quality education that is the main concern in the country today.

India, he said, cannot become a super economic power unless we went ahead in the field of science and technology. Prof Rao said 60 per cent of India’s population lives in rural areas, which have tremendous potential and talent that needed to be tapped.

Professor Shenggen Fan, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC (USA), was also conferred with the Doctor of Science degree, while Prof AK Sood, department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) got the Vigyan Rattan Award, incepted by PU last year.

The chief guest UT Administrator and Punjab Governor, Shivraj V Patil, said he was overwhelmed that a large number of recipients of degrees and winners of gold medals were girls.

Advising the students to adopt a positive outlook, he said, “If you leave the university with a positive attitude and optimism you are sure to rise in life.”

Patil said universities should pass on the knowledge to the masses, particularly to those who could make use of it for national development.

The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni, who was a special guest on the occasion, said the overwhelming number of girls getting the degrees had impressed her. “Union government has been working to provide reservation of 33 per cent to women in Parliament as well as at other levels in government services to ensure betterment of their lot. When I see the bright female students here, I think it should be 50 percent,” she said in a lighter vein.

Vice-Chancellor, PU, RC Sobti, announced a separate convocation will be held at Delhi to bestow the Doctor of Literature degree and Doctor of Laws degree to eminent author and journalist, Khushwant Singh and former Lok Sabha Speaker Som Nath Chatterjee, respectively.

Chandigarh, February 14
The ritualistic ceremony of awarding gold and silver medals to the toppers at Panjab University’s annual convocation was today given a miss, which resulted in disappointment among students, particularly those who had come to attend the ceremony from far off places in Punjab. In a surprise announcement made by the PU Vice-Chancellor RC Sobti during the convocation today, he said medals would be presented to the toppers in another ceremony after 15 days.

Interestingly, the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni, who was a special guest at the convocation, pointed out in her speech that getting a gold medal during the convocation meant a lot to a student.

After the ceremony, students were found enquiring about their medals from university officials outside the venue. “Getting a medal after 15 days is indeed unusual. I was eagerly waiting to get it today,” said a student, who topped MSc examination last year. “If only I had any such clue, I wouldn’t have come from Hoshiarpur,” said a university topper from a PU affiliated college.

Offering a clarification to the students, a university official said the President of India Pratibha Patil was expected to visit the campus in March and toppers were to be honoured at a special ceremony. Another reason cited for the delay in awarding the medals to students was that the results of certain subjects were being awaited and the final positions could vary. “Till all results are announced, we don’t want to take a risk by giving someone else the medal,” said a PU official.

Chandigarh, February 14
Less than a week after the Punjab and Haryana High Court summoned the trial court record on the controversial teachers’ recruitment scam, the Bench today questioned UT’s silence on the telephonic conversations between the Director Public Instructions (DPI) Samwartak Singh and the accused.

The Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Augustine George Masih asked the UT standing counsel Sanjay Kaushal to explain why the police was silent on the issue of phone calls.

The query came after the Bench was informed about 130 calls and two short messages that were exchanged between Samwartak Singh and the accused Jolly.

The Bench observed that they had the option of handing over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Or else, monitor its progress on regular basis.

The Bench also accepted UT’s request for additional time to go through the documents and adjourned the case till Monday next.

The alleged scam had come to the fore in 2009. Demanding a CBI probe into the scam, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was, earlier, filed by Karamjit Singh.

His counsel Ranjivan Singh had, earlier, submitted that Samwartak Singh was let off by the police. He had also claimed the scam to be of “huge magnitude”. Kaushal, on the other hand, has all along been claiming that the petition is a non-PIL and “lacks” public interest element. Karamjit Singh was an unsuccessful candidate and had, earlier, approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) with the same demand, but the petition was dismissed by the Tribunal, Kaushal had told the court.

Explaining the phone calls between Samwartak and the two accused presently facing trial, Kaushal had asserted the DPI had told the police that he had received calls from the accused for some tourism activities. 

Chandigarh, February 14
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation will take up the issue of recruiting 4,000 employees with the UT administration to fill vacancies. If the proposal gets the nod in the next fiscal, the civic body will incur an additional expenditure under the non-plan head of about Rs 80 crore on salaries.

Incidentally, deputationists from neighbouring states and the administration are holding all key posts in most of the MC departments as the civic body has no sanctioned posts to recruit employees.

The agenda on filing the posts is being tabled in the MC’s next budget session. According to the proposal, the requirement of staff in various MC wings MC was buildings & roads and the public health department (1,700), fire services (300), medical health office (340) and commissioner’s office (461). The proposal also covers the administrative staff of 213 for primary health and 495 for the education department that was recently transferred to the corporation. The expected budget implications for the fresh recruitment will be around Rs 80 crore.

City mayor Ravinder Pal Singh has set up a special committee to finalize the proposal of schedule of posts of each department and recruitment and promotion policy prepared by the authorities. The panel will submit its report to MC commissioner Roshan Sunkaria on February 16.

Sources said that the committee has sent a communiqué to the MC chief engineer asking he should file a reply on what basis the each department has analyse their requirement of staff.

Records show that last year the total budget approved by the MC general house was Rs 690.8 crore for the next financial year (2011-12). Under the plan head the approved budget was of Rs 409.35 crore and under the non-plan head of Rs 281.45 crore.

Expressing the urgent need for additional staff in all the departments, Sunkaria said the proposal would be tabled in the coming budget meeting of the house for approval.

Chandigarh, February 14
Dream of a government job (as promised by the Haryana government) eludes many sportsmen, despite of the cash awards and trophies being given to them by the state government. The despair of the paralympics sportspersons is more as they feel their future is insecure. Gyanand Singh from Bhiwani, who has won the prestigious ‘Bhim Award’ for his contribution in paralympic athletics events, was among the seven awardees, who were given the ‘Bhim award’ for their contribution in the field of sports by the state government.

Gyanand, who is suffering from polio in his left thigh since his childhood, had won two bronze medals in the World Paralympic Games 2007 and in the same year he won a gold medal in the 100X4 relay during the Ninth Senior Paralympic Athletics Championship. In 2008 he won a gold in the long jump event of the 10th Senior National Paralympic Athletics Championship. In the 11th Senior Paralympic Athletics Championship he won the 4X400 relay. “I am happy with cash awards and government jobs being given to general category players winning medals at the state, national or international level. Despite winning medals, I am yet to get any job as promised by the state government”, said Gyanand.

The biased approach of the state government had made us feel low as the general category players are getting more opportunities to grab jobs and this has badly affected our morale, rued Gyanand.

Gyanand who had also represented Haryana at the state level in Kabaddi said, “The government job will not only help me in improving my game but will also secure the future of my family. With a job in my hand will be able to concentrate on the game and bring laurels to the state and country.”

However, when asked in this regard, Chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the process of giving jobs to the unemployed players was under process.

Another paralympian player, Dr Sunita Devi, who was also awarded with ‘Bhim Award’ for the contribution she made in the field of sports, also expressed the same anguish. Even though she is presently employed as a hostel warden for the past 20 years in MDU University, Rohtak, she lamented that she should also be provided a government job.

Sunita, who was earlier presented with awards like the most efficient employee by the Vigayan Bhawan, New Delhi, and Rani Lakshmi Bai Istri Shakti awards by the President of India, has done M.Phil, Ph.D. in Sanskrit. She won two golds and a silver medal in the Senior Paralympic Athletics Championship in 2007. In the 11th Senior Paralympic Athletics Championship, she won a gold medal in 400-m race, whereas a silver and bronze in the 200-m and 100m respectively, besides winning a gold medal in the 4X100 relay in the 2008 national championship.

“I wanted to become a teacher. But despite my achievements, I wonder whether any government job will come my way or not” said Sunita.

Chandigarh, February 14
Selling a used mobile phone to a customer has proved expensive for Sanjeev Enterprises at Sector 22 here.

The shopkeeper will not only have to replace the handset, worth Rs 2,900, with a new one, but also pay Rs 2,500 towards compensation and costs of litigation.

The UT Consumer Forum today directed Sanjeev Enterprises to replace the mobile of Sandeep Kumar of Sector 27 and pay him a compensation of Rs 1,500 for causing harassment to him.

The forum also directed him that the replaced mobile phone should also carry a fresh warranty for six months.

Sandeep had bought a mobile from Sanjeev Enterprises in October last and it was covered under a six-month warranty.

However, when he switched on the mobile, he discovered that it was a used handset as certain phone number were already stored in its memory.

In his complaint, Sandeep claimed that when he approached the shopkeeper, instead of acting on his complaint, he threatened to get Sandeep implicated in false cases of theft.

Left with no choice, Sandeep had approached the forum. Despite the issuance of a notice, no one appeared on behalf of Sanjeev Enterprises. Subsequently, the forum passed an ex parte order in favour of the complainant.

The forum, comprising its president Lakshman Sharma and member Madhu Mutneja, directed Sanjeev Enterprises to replace the old handset with a new one of the same model and pay a compensation of Rs 1,500 for mental agony, along with 18 per cent penal interest from the date of filing of the complaint.

Panchkula, February 14
The district elementary education officer (DEEO), SP Singh, filed a detailed reply on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner stating that the administration had already circulated the detailed policy and guidelines under the RTE Act to all private schools in the city.

Singh said that the policy and guidelines of the state government had already been circulated to private school in the city for implementing the 25 per cent quota provided under the Act, vide letter dated February 9, 2011.

The PIL seeking implementation of RTE Act in local schools filed by a couple, Pankaj and Sangeta Chandgothia, came up for hearing before the court of Renu Rana, Civil Judge, today. Apart from the deputy commissioner, the petitioner had also made six private schools of the city as defendants.

The Civil Judge after hearing the arguments kept the matter for final arguments tomorrow.

Chandgothia said prior to this, a meeting was also held with all the school heads and added that the primary features of the policy were that the 25 per cent quota had been split up into various sub-categories and extensive advertising for inviting applications and purveying information.

Meanwhile, the private schools filed an application seeking dismissal of the case as pre-mature since the responsibility of implementation was that of the government and not schools and that they had not received any policy guidelines from the authority concerned.

However, Chandgothia argued that in view of the reply filed by the DEEO, the application filed by the schools was not maintainable and the schools were bound to follow the policy from the next academic session starting from April 2011. 

Panchkula, February 14
Dismissed cop SI Narinder Singh was not cooperating in the investigation conducted by the Ambala Range Commission as he had not appeared in the enquiry despite several reminders sent to him.

In a press note issued here today the police spokesman said that Narinder Singh was levelling false allegations against the authorities. He said despite repeated reminders Narinder Singh had failed to present himself before the enquiry committee constituted by the Ambala Range Commission.

It is worth mentioning here that Narinder, who was dismissed from service about two years ago, while challenging his removal sat on fast-unto-death in front of the DGP office, in Sector 6 on February 7. He had alleged that he had been sacked from service for acting fairly in a land dispute case pertaining to the Morni area. He said he has begun this fast-unto-death to register his protest against the corrupt police officers and his dismissal.

Narinder had alleged that a complaint was lodged with the DGP on July 13, 2007 accusing him of siding with a particular group after he got a land dispute settled. He said that he was found guilty in a departmental enquiry conducted by the police department. Subsequently he was suspended on August 22, 2007 and was subsequently dismissed from service after the inquiry conducted by the then ASP, Ambala, on February 6, 2008. 

Panchkula, February 14
The Central Science Forensic Laboratory (CSFL), Madhuban, has ruled out the gang rape of a mentally challenged girl of Ramgarh village on December 2 last year.

Confirming the same today, Chandimandir police station SHO Jangsher said that hey had received the report in this regard confirming that the brother of the victim, Parveen, had levelled baseless charges against unidentified youths of the city.

The police had registered a case under Section 164 on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Ashima Brar after about one month after the residents of the village accompanied by mother and brothers of the victim girl had complained that the police was trying to shield the accused under political pressure.

It is pertinent to mention here that the brother of the victim, a resident of Ramgarh village, had complained to the police alleging that two youths had gang raped his mentally challenged and blind sister on December 2.

In the complaint the brother of the victim had said that his mother Krishan along with her daughter had gone to the nearby forest area to attend the call of nature. He said his mother, who was surprised to see her daughter missing from the spot, searched for her and returned to the house after failing to find her. Later His brother and mother found the girl abandoned in a deep gorge.