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Teachers’ Posts
1,400-year-old temple haven for drug addicts, ragpickers
Unrecognised degree holders getting government jobs
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Anurag against right to recall MPs
Pharma companies donate medicines
Industrial unit washed away
Anna supporters end fast after 11 days
A girl offers juice to Laxmi Chand in Shimla on Sunday. Photo: Amit Kanwar
Mediation centres will provide quick justice: Judge
Justice DD Sood of the HP High Court inaugurates a mediation centre at Hamirpur on Sunday. A Tribune photograph
2 killed in Kullu road mishap
Two bike riders killed in road mishaps
No annual increment for contractual nurses in Hamirpur
Take pledge against corruption: Chief Justice
Bank credits 19 cheques to single account
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Teachers’ Posts
Shimla, August 28 As such those who qualified BEd 23 years ago (as the 1988 batch is yet to be appointed) in the arts stream will have to clear the TET. The situation is slightly better in case of non-medical (1995 batch) and medical (1997 batch). The government has, as an exception, decided not to hold any interview and recruit teachers solely on the basis of the TET in the first year. In case of batch-wise recruitment, seniority of the batch will be considered but the candidates will be just required to qualify the TET. Once qualified, the test will be valid for seven years but the candidates can appear any number of times to improve the percentage of marks. The TET is being conducted for five categories to fill many as 2,950 posts of Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT), Language Teacher (LT) and Shashtri, and the Education Department is keen that the State Subordinate Services Selection Board completes the exercise within three months, before the tribal areas like Lahaul and Spiti are closed due to snow. All those who have qualified BEd, LT and Shastri courses as per the norms of the National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE) will be eligible to appear. The State Cabinet had, at its recent meeting, allowed those having completed BCom to appear in the TET in line with the latest decision of the NCTE. The BCom and BEd candidates will appear along with the BA and BEd candidates under the arts stream. So far they were not eligible even for BEd as there are no subjects of the commerce stream at the elementary level. The other streams for which the test is being conducted are BSc, BEd (non-medical), BSc, BEd (medical), LT and Shastri. A multiple choice question paper of 150 marks for each stream (except LT and Shastri) will have four sections with two common sections of 30 marks each pertaining to teaching methods and knowledge about Himachal. In case of the arts stream, the other sections will be English (30 marks) and social sciences (60 marks). In the science stream, apart form teaching methods and Himachal sections, chemistry (30 marks) will also be common. Physics and mathematics (non-medical) and botany and zoology (medical), each of 30 marks, will be the other sections. In case of LT and Shastri, there will be no section on teaching methods and they are not required to qualify BEd. The candidates will have to obtain a minimum of 60 per cent marks to qualify the examination.
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1,400-year-old temple haven for drug addicts, ragpickers
Mandi, August 28 As soon as tourists, mainly foreigners, inch closer to this temple, stink invades the atmosphere as jhuggiwalas, who camp here, have turned the area into an open defecating ground along the Beas and Suketi rivers.
“The hygiene around the temple is poor,” said Paul Gentleman, a tourist from London. “Ragpickers, heaps of garbage and scrap, and people defecating in the open are a common sight,” he said. The district administration and the MC have violated the Archaeological Monument Conservation Act by allowing jhuggis on the premises of this monument, protected by the ASI. No structure or dwelling unit can come up near an ASI monument under this Act. The Beas flooded the temple, with dirty waters entering the sanctum of the temple twice last week. The flood waters inundated 25-odd jhuggis and concrete structures that have come up near this temple. Director-General, ASI, Gautam Sengupta has directed the superintending architect, ASI, to take remedial measures to ensure the safety and sanctity of the temple. However, nothing has been done on the ground as yet. OC Handa, archaeologist-cum-writer, said the temple was one of the rare monolithic Ardhnareshwar temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. “It is the oldest landmark in Mandi and needs proper care,” he added. The district administration and the MC have blamed each other for allowing the jhuggis around the temple. On the other hand, jhuggi dwellers say the administration should allot them land at a safer place. “Every yeat during the rains, jhuggis are washed away,” rued Kisanlal, a leader of the jhuggi dwellers. ASI’s superintending architect TR Sharma said they had planned conservation and protection work, but the problem was that jhuggis and concrete structures had come up there.
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Unrecognised degree holders getting government jobs
Dharamsala, August 28
The government institutions are not taking precaution in the matter despite the fact that the HP High Court recently ousted certain candidates who had got government jobs through fake degrees. According to Supreme Court orders, which have been notified on its website by the UGC, state private universities can operate within the territorial jurisdiction of their respective states. These cannot operate at the national level as these have not been enacted by an Act of Parliament to function across states. In the recent past, many state universities based in South India such as ICFAI had opened their distance education centres in Himachal. These were offering MBA and other degrees, and a large number of students had enrolled with such centres. However, after the matter was exposed, the universities, fearing action from governing bodies, stopped their centres in a haphazard manner, leaving the students in the lurch. Later, the UGC also clarified that no private state university or any other institution was allowed to run courses through distance education till it had authorisation from a joint committee of the Department of Distance Education, the UGC and the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). With the clarification, it also became clear that the degrees acquired by students through distance education from outside state universities were unrecognised. Many students who had acquired such degrees were also denied the opportunity to appear in the UGC test conducted for teachers’ eligibility. However, the local managements of government institutions are considering such candidates for teaching jobs. In interviews conducted at Government College, Dharamsala, some candidates who had acquired degrees from universities outside the state through distance education were shortlisted for interviews. The Principal of the college said they were looking into the matter and recruitments would be conducted strictly according to the norms fixed by the AICTE. Sources told The Tribune that despite mass awareness regarding fake distance education centres of private universities outside the state, many such dubious study centres were still mushrooming in Himachal and duping students by offering them unrecognised degrees. The sources blamed Himachal Pradesh University for the opening of such centres. They said there was a demand for distance education courses in the state. A large number of students wanted to pursue degrees through distance education. However, the only government university in the state, Himachal Pradesh University, had increased its affiliation fee exponentially for those who wanted to run recognised centres under it. This has made business unviable for private education institutes, which were earlier running centres under Himachal Pradesh University. They have now taken affiliation from universities outside the state.
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Anurag against right to recall MPs
Baroa (Hamirpur), August 28 Talking to mediapersons here today before attending a BJYM meeting, he said, “One has to qualify an exam for getting a job and after that he or she continues in the job till superannuation but in case of MLAs or MPs we have to qualify exams after every five years and during each term we have to pass several tests.” He said, “Public representatives should be allowed to complete their five-year term since recalling them midterm will not allow them to prove their worth as public representatives and fulfil promises made to the electorate.” Later, addressing BJYM activists, he said, “A jan chetna abhiyan has been launched to popularise the programme and policies of the state government and also to seek a feedback from the party workers and people.” Earlier, he also flagged off a jan chetna abhiyan rally here.
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Pharma companies donate medicines
Shimla, August 28 Speaking at a function jointly organised by the Indian Drug Manufacturing Association and the Himachal Drug Manufacturing Association, he appealed to pharmaceutical companies to adhere to quality control in the manufacturing of life-saving drugs as any lapse on this count could cost patients dear. Himachal Pradesh had emerged as a pharmaceutical hub, with a major chunk of the medicines being manufactured in the state. The government was providing the best possible facilities to entrepreneurs who had also benefited from the industrial package. He said the government had shifted the office of Drug Controller from Shimla to Baddi for the convenience of drug manufacturers so that they could avail of all facilities locally. He appreciated the gesture of the pharmaceutical companies in donating de-worming drugs to be administered to students in different educational institutions during the launch of the second phase of the Mukhya Mantri Vidyarthi Swasthya Yojna. He said that the first phase of the scheme had been a grand success with over 5.5 lakh students having been examined medically and in the second phase 10 lakh students would be covered. He said the government would soon enact a legislation which would enable it to take over property earned through unfair means. President of the Indian Drug Manufacturing Association NR Munjal presented an overview of the global pharmaceutical scenario and informed that the association would celebrate its golden jubilee this year. Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Drug Manufacturing Association Sanjay Guleria thanked the Chief Minister for protecting the interests of the pharmaceutical industry.
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Industrial unit washed away
Paonta Sahib, August 28
The mishap occurred when a cloudburst at Darti village, which falls above the unit, led to a huge volume of water flowing down into the Kontro rivulet. This changed the course of the rivulet, leading to a huge volume of water entering the unit after breaking its boundary wall. Unit’s director Naveen Aggrawal said raw material, scrap comprising aluminum, nickel, copper and other metals and heavy machinery were washed away by the huge volume of water which entered the unit. With 7 to 8 ft of water inside the unit, workers who were employed in the night shift had to climb the chimneys to save themselves. Even the unit’s guest house was damaged with nearly 5 ft water entering the rooms. The plant’s machinery was washed away into a nearby village by the water. The unit had recently undertaken expansion work and new machinery worth crores was damaged in the incident.
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Anna supporters end fast after 11 days
Shimla, August 28 Anna supporters who have been holding rallies, taking out candlelight march and resorting to other forms of protests, celebrated the victory today. The local Team Anna also cut a cake on the occasion. Laxmi Chand was the first to join the Anna movement and on the first day he was all alone. However, support for him grew as days passed by and over the past couple of days people had been turning up in strength to show their solidarity with the protestors. Laxmi Chand today was taken around the city in a vehicle with supporters and later he was admitted to a hospital for a medical checkup. Common man’s victory: Des Raj
Mandi: Anna Hazare’s supporters celebrated his victory after Des Raj, an engineer, broke his fast here today soon after Anna Hazare did his at the historic Ramlila Ground in New Delhi. Residents all over the state took out victory processions as soon as Anna appeared on the stage and gave up his fast in New Delhi today after 12 days of fasting. Des Raj, along with others who had observed fast in support Anna Hazare, and local citizens garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and raised victory slogans in support of Anna. “It is victory of the common man and democracy at the grassroots level,” said Des Raj. Poor people who have to do rounds of offices for day-to-day works will have say once the Citizens Charter and Lokayukta become law in the state, said president, HP RTI Bureau, Mandi, Lawan Thakur, who had coordinated the Anna Hazare movement in Mandi. |
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Mediation centres will provide quick justice: Judge
Hamirpur, August 28 Justice Sood said this after inaugurating the mediation centre on the DC Office complex at Hamirpur today. He said, “Under Section 89, CrPC, there is a provision of mediation centres through which two contesting parties in various courts after an agreement can seek help for mutual settlement of the case.” Talking about the role of the presiding officer of mediation centres, he said, “The presiding officers of mediation centres will play a role of motivator and help the applicants and respondents to mutually settle disputes as per proviso of mediation to end court proceedings and save energy, money and time of the litigants.” He said, “Following the directions of the Supreme Court of India, the HP High Court has taken the initiative to open mediation centres in a phased manner, and five centres have been opened in Solan, Una, Dharamsala, Mandi and Hamirpur districts.” Earlier, welcoming the chief guest, District and Sessions Judge, Hamirpur, RL Azad gave detailed information about mediation centres. Addition District and Sessions Judge, Hamirpur, Rattan Singh Thakur, CJM PL Ranta, ADM Rajeshwar Goel, SDM Pankaj Rai and Assistant Commissioner Manoj Kumar and other dignitaries were also present. Best system
BILASPUR: The method of mediation is the best system of solving even the most complicated cases. Advocates and society leaders should come out to give full support to this system which is ideal and gives satisfaction and happiness to both the case contestants. This was stated by HP High Court Senior Justice RB Mishra, who is also Patron-in-Chief of the State Mediation Committee, while inaugurating a mediation centre at the District Judicial Courts complex at Bilaspur last evening. He said this system helped both the contestants to come together at a table with help of an advisor, who kept all proceedings confidential. Justice Mishra said increasing population, day-to-day problems, involvement in various fields and activities and also due to frustration in the delay in long legal procedures, litigants should come forward to take advantage of the mediation centre. This was the best way to get quick and cheaper decision of any controversy or dispute, he added. District and Sessions Judge Sushil Kukreja was all praise for this system and said the mediation centre would be of great help in solving disputes. JS Mahantan, member secretary, HP State Legal Services Authority, Sub Judge Anil Sharma, Abhay Bhardwaj, Civil Judge (Ghumarwin), CB Barowalia, coordinator, Mediation Centre, Additional District Magistrate Darshan Kalia, District Bar president Tejaswi Sharma, Daulat Ram Sharma and BS Chandel, both former members, National Bar Council of India, and advocates and others were present. Good alternative
SUNDERNAGAR: Justice RB Mishra, Patron-in-Chief, Mediation Committee HP High Court, inaugurated a medication centre in the District Court complex, Mandi, on Saturday evening. He, along with his wife, performed a puja before dedicating the centre to litigants. Justice Misra, addressing a gathering of judicial officers, lawyers, employees and others, said due to increasing litigation rate, some alternative method should be evolved for the resolution of disputes and this could not be successful without the help of the Bar. So the method of mediation had been evolved which was a method of alternate dispute resolution. He said the situation was like this that 500 patients visited a doctor a day, the doctor was competent enough to treat the patients, but he was not able to do it due to workload. He said it was fourth mediations centre in HP, including Solan, Bilaspur and Kullu Justice Mishra said training would be imparted to selected lawyers, who would be playing a key role of the mediation process. In Mandi 15 lawyers would be given six-day training starting from September 3. JS Mantahan, member secretary, HP Legal Services Authority, said the whole court fee would be reimbursed which were compromised by way of mediation. He said now retirees could also get free legal aid if there annual income was less than Rs 2 lakh. Virender Singh, District and Sessions Judge, Mandi, welcome Justice Mishra on the occasion. Dharam Chand Guleria, president, District Bar Association, Mandi, also spoke on the occasion. District Bar Association, Mandi, organised tea party in the honour of Justice Mishra. All the judicial officers and officials of the district administration were present on this occasion. |
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2 killed in Kullu road mishap
Kullu, August 28 Police confirmed that the tractor was moving downhill and suddenly the front portion tilted and the victims were crushed under it.
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Two bike riders killed in road mishaps
Nurpur, August 28 In the second mishap, another motorcycle hit against an HRTC bus near Changrara on the Indora-Jassur link road last evening. The injured bike rider Balwinder Kumar of Mandoli succumbed to injuries on his way to hospital. According to DSP Rajinder Jaswal, a case under Sections 279, 337 and 304 (A), IPC, has been registered in this connection. The bodies of the accident victims have been handed over to the families after conducting postmortem on Sunday. |
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No annual increment for contractual nurses in Hamirpur
Hamirpur, August 28 The government had taken a policy decision to grant 3 per cent annual increments to all contractual nurses since January 2011. After the decision, all district-level health authorities were instructed to make payment of salaries to these nurses on the enhanced pay bills along with the arrears. Nurses working in Hamirpur district on contract have not been paid the same. Sources in the district Health Department said the same had been withheld due to procedural lapse on the part of the state government. They said: “The instruction for giving the annual increment should have been issued by the Finance Department but these have been issued by the Personnel Department.” As a result, about 25 contractual nurses have not been given this benefit. A nurse working here said, “We are getting fixed salaries without any other benefits and working round the clock and surprisingly only benefit gavel i.e. 3 per cent increments to contractual nurses, is also not been given to us here.” The contractual nurses have met the district health authorities several times to release the enhanced salaries along with the enhanced increment. SK Soni, Chief Medical Officer, Hamirpur, said: “The matter is under consideration of the Finance Department and we will give the increment after getting instructions from the government.”
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Take pledge against corruption: Chief Justice
Shimla, August 28 Presiding over a colloquium on “Value and presentation of rich cultural heritage a fundamental duty”, organised by the State Legal Authority, he drew attention to Mahatma Gandhi’s famous words “Everything has been provided for the man’s need but not for his greed”. He said one should not desire for more than one needs; otherwise it would invariably lead to corruption. Emphasising the need for strengthening communal harmony in the larger interests of unity and integrity of the country, Justice Joseph said India was a secular state and its secular character provided for respect to all religions irrespective of caste, colour and creed. The chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Authority, Justice RB Mishra, said tolerance and co-existence were the essence of all religions and it was the duty of one and all to preserve it by extending respect to all religions by rising above all considerations. He exhorted students to imbibe good thoughts and take a pledge to preserve the country’s rich culture, heritage and traditions. He also dwelt on the aims and objectives of the State Legal Authority, which provided legal aid to all except those who were prosperous. Justice Surinder Singh, a Judge of the high court, in his keynote address, touched upon various aspects of the rich cultural heritage of the country. He said that real strength of India was in its “unity in diversity”. Srikant Baldi, Principal Secretary, Education and Finance, stressed that culture should be part of the curriculum in every educational institution. In Himachal Pradesh, culture and yoga had already been made part of the school curriculum.
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Bank credits 19 cheques to single account
Mandi, August 28 What has raised the suspicion of bank account holders is that the PNB woke up to its blunder only after one month and 26 days as the it claimed that it had presented 19 different cheques for clearing on July 1, 2011. The account holders have raised questions about the security of their deposits in the bank as they suspect some foul play in the whole episode as the bank has not made it clear as to why the 19 different cheques were credited only to one account number, that of Kapil Sharma. Bishan Singh Pathania, Branch Manager of the bank, has lodged the complaint with the police after detecting the blunder after a few days when Kapil started withdrawing the “windfall amount through different ATMs”. Pathania stated in the FIR that “it was by mistake that 19 different cheques were credited in the account of Kapil”. He charged that Kapil had already withdrawn Rs 10,98,898 from his account till August 23 with malafide intention as money did not belong to him. The Mandi SP stated that the police had registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust under Sections 420 and 406, IPC, after the Manager lodged the complaint at the Mandi Sadar police station.
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Flooded twice last week by the swollen Beas, the 1,400-year-old Panchvakhtar temple in this temple town, one of the oldest national monuments in north India, has been turned into a hub by drug addicts
Baroa (Hamirpur), August 28
Shimla, August 28
Hamirpur, August 28
