Chandigarh, July 18
Allottees of flats in cooperative house building societies, who have filed false affidavits to secure a property, are in for trouble.

The Registrar (Cooperative Societies)-cum-Deputy Commissioner today cancelled the allotment of five such allottees in the Young Dwellers Cooperative House Building Society in Sector 49. The allottees of the flats had filed false affidavits regarding ownership of properties in the tricity.

Chandigarh, July 18
The CBI Court of Special Judge Vimal Kumar today convicted a UT sub-inspector and two others in a corruption case. The court convicted SI Hans Raj Singh and two civilians, Satwant Singh Sethi and Jhujhar Singh, under Section 120-B of the IPC read with Section 7 and 13 (1) (d) read with Section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on July 21.

The case was registered on August 10, 2010, when sleuths of the CBI had arrested the then SHO of the Industrial Area police station, Dilsher Singh, sub-inspector Hans Raj and the two civilians for allegedly taking Rs 40,000 from a Panchkula resident, who was involved in a cheating case.

The investigating agency had later dropped the name of Inspector Dilsher Singh from the chargesheet as no evidence was found against him.

According to the prosecution case, Jhujjar Singh, owner of a tea stall near the police station, and Satwant Sethi, had accepted Rs 40,000 from the complainant on the behalf of SI Hans Raj.

Chandigarh, July 18
After dilly-dallying of relieving Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre officials, finally the UT Administration today issued orders of relieving Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) chairman Satyagopal.

Satyagopal, a 1988 batch officer, will join Arunachal Pradesh. The Administration has now given additional charge of the CHB chairman to MC Commissioner VP Singh.

Besides, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has also ordered to transfer Additional Secretary (Home) Prerna Puri, a 2006-batch AGMUT-cadre officer and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CHB, Rodney L Ralte, a 2002 batch AGMUT cadre officer, to Mizoram.

The MHA has also ordered to transfer ADC Tanvi Garg, a 2009 batch AGMUT-cadre officer to Andaman and Nicobar. The UT Administration has received the transfer orders of these three officials.

UT Advisor KK Sharma said they had relieved Satyagopal and other officials will be relieved in the coming days. The MHA has also given three new AGMUT cadre officials to Chandigarh, who will join in the coming days.

Sources said the MHA had cleared the names of three AGMUT cadre officers — Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, a 1990 batch officer and currently posted as Administrator of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli; Dr SB Deepak Kumar, 2005 batch officer and currently posted as district collector in Puducherry and NK Sharma, a 2002 batch officer, for the Chandigarh Administration. However, the Administration has not received any official communication regarding these three officials.

New DIG, SP to join

AGMUT-cadre IPS officer AS Cheema has been appointed as the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chandigarh. The 2000-batch IPS officer is expected to join next week. IPS officer Ram Niwas Meena has also been posted to Chandigarh as the Superintendent of Police.

Chandigarh, July 18
A day after the body of an investment agent was found in the nullah in Sectors 16 and 23, the family members of the victim protested against the police due to non-registration of a murder case.

The two daughters of deceased Krishan Kumar blamed the Chandigarh Police for allegedly concealing information related to the accused. They further alleged, “The police are not conducting proper investigation in the case.”

Guru Prasad, brother of the deceased investor, alleged, “My brother was murdered and the police are deliberately not registering a case.”

High drama was witnessed at the GMSH-16 where the family of deceased Krishan had come to collect the body after the postmortem.

The police tried to hand over the body to deceased Krishan’s family but they refused to accept it until they included murder charges in the FIR.

The police are carrying out inquest proceedings in the case. The family also raised slogans against the police.

It was after the SHO of the Sector 17 police station, inspector Dilsher Singh Chandel, assured to take action that the family accepted the body.

Deceased Krishan’s body was found in a semi-decomposed state from the N-choe between Sector 16 and 23 yesterday evening. His face had been disfigured by animals.

His car, wallet and two cell phones were also found missing. Deceased Krishan had gone missing along with his car from his house in Khuda Lahora on July 15. His phone was switched off later.

Prior to his disappearance, Krishan had attended a court hearing at the District Courts in Sector 43.

Postmortem rules out foul play

Sources said the postmortem report ruled out any foul play. There were no injury marks found on or inside the body except a few external marks on his right hand. While the exact cause of Krishan’s death could not be ascertained, viscera samples were sent to the CFSL for a final confirmation on the cause of death. His heart was sent for histopathology to ascertain if he had died of heart attack. Also, the body was found to be two to four days old. A post-mortem injury was found on one of his legs that indicated a bite by animals. 

Chandigarh, July 18
In a major relief to taxi stand operators — who are operating across the city — the Municipal Corporation (MC), has decided to continue with the already existing taxi stand operators.

The decision to continue with the existing taxi stand operators was taken by a committee constituted to revise the rules and regulations for operating taxi stands in the city.

The Municipal Corporation had cancelled the licences of around 24 taxi stands in 2012 due to non-compliance of terms and conditions.

Certain operators had moved the court, following which, the MC formed a committee to review the decision. Earlier this year, the committee decided to give an extension to the taxi stand operators till March 31, 2015.

Subsequently, another committee was formed under the chairmanship of Congress councillor Pardeep Chhabra.

Chhabra said taxi stand operators, as per the rules and regulations, would now be allowed to run taxi stands for a period of three years, which can be extended up to five years.

“After five years, a decision on the allotment of taxi stands will be taken again,” he added.

Chhabra further said each taxi stand should have a minimum of four members and each should own at least four vehicles, only then they would be allowed to operate.

“Each taxi stand will have to nominate one person in whose name the allotment will be made and the water and electricity bills will be generated,” he said.

The officials further said the new taxi stands, for which different locations have been identified, would be allotted through a draw of lots.

Meanwhile, the allotment will be made on the same terms and conditions applied to the existing taxi stands.

‘non-compliance of rules’

The Municipal Corporation had cancelled the licences of around 24 taxi stands in 2012 due to non-compliance of terms and conditions. Certain operators had moved the court, following which, the MC formed a committee to review the decision. Earlier this year, the committee decided to give an extension to the taxi stand operators till March 31, 2015.

new taxi stands

The new taxi stands, for which different locations have been identified, would be allotted through a draw of lots. The allotment will be made on the same terms and conditions applied to the existing taxi stands.

‘FIVE MEMBERS MUST’

‘police can’t do enough, we need to keep vigil’
"I had come with my wife to inspect work at my under-construction house. There is a small gap at one side of the gate from where the two accused were coming out with the stolen material. When they saw us, they fled. I chased them in my car and when I alighted from the vehicle, they brandished a knife at me and pushed me. In the process, I injured myself. when the police cannot nab criminals, we residents have to do the needful. Had I not raised an alarm, the miscreants would have stabbed me. The police need to keep vigil." 

Chandigarh, July 18
While the Supreme Court had quashed the land acquisition for Phase III of the IT Park in 2012, the UT Administration is yet to recover Rs 5 crore from the landowners who had accepted compensation for parting with their land. There are more than 200 landowners, whose land was to be acquired for Phase III of the IT Park.

Thirty-five of these accepted the compensation amount of Rs 18.75 lakh per acre announced by the Administration. The remaining landowners had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court against the land acquisition process.

The Legal Department of the UT Administration had also given its opinion that the Administration can move the court to recover the amount from landowners but till date, the UT has made no progress in this regard.

UT’s Land Acquisition Officer, Tilak Raj, said, “We are yet to start the process. After obtaining clear instructions from our seniors, we will start the process.”

Landowners approached the Administration saying that they were not in a position to refund the money.

In October 2012, the Supreme Court had quashed the acquisition of 272 acres for Phase III of the IT Park.

Background

During the tenure of a former UT Administrator, Gen SF Rodrigues (retd), the Administration had started acquiring land for Phase III of the IT Park. Notifications to acquire 272 acres were issued in June 2006, August 2006 and Feb 2007. Later, the media had reported anomalies in the land acquisition process. The MHA had ordered a special audit of various projects of the Administration. The audit raised objections to the land acquired for the Phase III and submitted a report to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The landowners moved the court, but in March 2011, the HC rejected their petitions. They then moved the Supreme Court, which on October 12, 2012, quashed the land acquisition process for the expansion of the IT Park.

SC order was major blow for UT

The Supreme Court order had come as a major blow to the Administration, which was hoping to attract investments worth more than Rs 2,500 crore, software export of Rs 2,500 crore and generating employment for over 35,000 IT professionals through Phase III of IT Park.

Panchkula, July 18
As part of a programme of the British Council - Connecting Classrooms - two teachers of The Gurukul, Sector 20, here recently spent a week with students of a UK-based school.

The British Council gave a grant of GBP3,000 to The Gurukul here for the interaction with the state-run school in London.

Now, teachers from Baring Primary School, London, will come to The Gurukul in October. “We had registered ourselves with the British Council for this programme in January. We saw how the students were taught. It was a wonderful experience,” said Harsimran Kaur, principal of The Gurukul.

“We saw that the entire work of students was based on practical. We went to the forest parks and ships, which is a part of their curriculum,” she said. The teachers said they would try to implement certain points at their school as well. — TNS

Panchkula, July 18
Taking a lift from a pick-up van proved costly for a 45-year-old man when he fell off the vehicle and died after a head-on collision with another pick-up van near the Kalka-Shimla Highway in Sector 6, last evening.

The victim, identified as Amir Chand, a resident of Solan, was rushed to General Hospital, Sector 6, the doctors referred him to PGI. The victim died on way to PGI.

The victim fell off the vehicle and got crushed under the wheels of the same vehicle. The post mortem of the victim was conducted at the General Hospital and body was handed over to the family. 

Chandigarh, July 18
The lackadaisical attitude of the Municipal Corporation (MC) can be gauged with the fact that the V-5 road in Sector 18-C and D that was widened around a year back is yet to be carpeted.

The widened area has not been carpeted and leads to inconvenience of the residents. The road was widened to ease the traffic.

Area Councillor Mukesh Bassi stated that after widening of the road the widened area was supposed to be carpeted. However, it is almost a year the MC has not initiated any work. “What is the use of widening the road when nobody can drive on the widened area of the road,” Bassi stated.

Bassi further stated that he has been repeatedly asking the MC officials for carpeting the widened area but the authorities failed to act.

Area residents who have been demanding the carpeting of the widened stretch complained that during rains they can’t even walk through the widened roads. “The widened road is not even used by the pedestrians,” said one of the residents.

Residents demanded that without delaying it further the MC authorities should ensure that the work is completed at the earliest.

Mohali, July 18
Mohali today became the first town in Punjab to introduce the ward and watch scheme, which will help to improve look of the town, protect and maintain the property of the Municipal Corporation and solve various problems of residents.

Vehicles equipped with a GPS system, cameras and computers, were flagged off jointly by Chairperson of the District Planning Committee Amanjot Kaur Ramoowalia and Deputy Commissioner Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu from the civic body’s office in Sector 68 here.

MC Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta said three vehicles with the necessary staff would provide information to the corporation officials concerned through SMS and email regarding shortcomings and bylaw violations under the scheme’s first phase. 

Panchkula, July 18
The morning downpour washed away the tall claims of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and Municipal Corporation (MC), Panchkula, when the city witnessed heavy water logging.

Rainwater entered houses in sector 10, 11,19,18,17, housing board colony and Rally village putting residence to inconvenience.

The roundabout of Sector 11, 15, internal lanes of Sectors 2, 4, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 26 and Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 5, were flooded with water.

“The authorities claimed that they are preparing for the monsoons and clearing up the road gullies. Then how the roads got clogged,” said Vikram Khanna, a resident of Sector 19.

“It is a regular feature. Despite being aware, it happens every monsoon, why can’t the authorities take note of it seriously? Why do the residents have to suffer,” asked Alka Bhalla, a resident of Mansa Devi Complex, Sector 4.

The HUDA and MC officials said they got the road gullies cleaned up but while sweeping, the sweepers piled up the garbage in it and the same gets choked.

Chandigarh, July 18
The Chandigarh Administration has rejected a representation for release filed by convict Gurmeet Singh in the Beant Singh assassination case. As the issue came up for resumed hearing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, information to this effect was furnished by the UT counsel.

The High Court had earlier directed the Central Government and the UT Administration to take a decision on the pleas as per the new premature policy. For the purpose, the High Court set six weeks’ deadline.

The directions came while disposing of the petition for release from the jail on the ground of being behind bars for more than 18 years. The Division Bench headed by Justice Rajive Bhalla had made it clear that Gurmeet Singh and another convict Shamsher Singh would be at liberty to approach the High Court again, if they were not satisfied with the decision.

Lodged in Burail jail, Shamsher Singh and Gurmeet Singh had argued that they should not be discriminated against. Other life convicts were being released from the jail after the completion of 14 years, but the government was not considering their requests for release.

In Shamsher Singh’s case, the Patiala District Magistrate, way back in 2008, had not recommended his release on parole. The order said: “The statements of some well known persons in the village had been recorded who submitted that convict Shamsher Singh was involved in the assassination of Beant Singh, ex-Chief Minister, Punjab. He is one of the partners of dangerous terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara, Paramjit Singh Bheora and Balwant Singh. Jagtar Singh Hawara and Paramjit Singh Bheora are also involved in the jail break case. If he is released on parole he may again join any terrorist group during the parole”.

Mohali, July 18
The town has moved one step closer to getting the long-awaited newly elected Municipal Corporation with the state government setting up a ward delimitation board.

Under a government notification, SAD leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia was made a non-official member of the board. The names of other non-official members and those of the official members have yet to be announced.

Elections to the corporation have been long overdue. In January 2011, the town’s Municipal Council was upgraded to the level of corporation following which the elected body was dissolved.

According to reports, there will be 50 corporation wards. Five of these will be reserved for the Scheduled Castes and two for the backward classes. As many as 15 wards will be reserved for women.

Reports said besides the areas within the old municipal limits, Sectors 76 to 80 and Kumbra and Sohana villages would be included in the delimitation exercise. This exercise was expected to begin only after the names of the other members, including the official ones, were announced.

Chandigarh, July 18
The Punjab and Haryana High Court Blood Contributors Club in collaboration with the Rotary Blood and Bank Society Resource Centre today organised a blood donation camp on the court premises.

As many as 337 volunteers donated blood at the camp. These included three judges, advocates and employees of the court.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, inaugurated the camp. The Judges who donated blood included Justice Rajesh Bindal, Justice Jatendra Chauhan and Justice Rameshwar Singh Malik.

“We got an overwhelming response to the camp today,” said senior advocate ML Sareen.

Two days ago, a function was organised at the high court for honouring over 100 blood donors from the legal fraternity. These included the Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice, other judges, lawyers, employees and clerks of the court.

The donors voluntarily participated in six blood donation camps organised on the court premises in a span of three years, between December 8, 2010, and December 4, 2013.

Mohali, July 18
Product design plays a pivotal role in the industrial manufacturing sector. It was stated by Seto Eiichi, MD, SML Isuzu Ltd, while speaking at the three-day international workshop, Creative product design, on the importance of product designing, organised by Chandigarh University, Gharuan, in association with the University of District Columbia, USA, here yesterday.

Over 70 engineers from across the country and around 150 students of engineering and computer applications participated in the workshop that concluded today.

Seto said the country would soon be a top runner in product designing. University’s Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu said India had been investing heavily in the designing and manufacturing sector so there would be a huge demand of product design engineers in the country in the near future. — TNS

Chandigarh, July 18
During a meeting convened by UT Administrator Shivraj Patil here today, the UT Health Department was directed to expedite the efforts to reduce disease and deaths due to diarrhoea in the city. A Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) Campaign has been started by the Central Government with effect from July 28 to August 8.

The Administrator emphasised on hand and food hygiene.

“The department should be prepared to deal with any kind of unprecendented rush of cases with various health centres and those requiring intensive care,” he said.

The public should be sensitised through SMS, audio visual media, mobile van and cable TV. Currently, over 100 cases of diarrhoea have been reported in the city.

The meeting was attended by all senior functionaries of the Health Department. On diarrhoea, Dr Mahesh Hiranandani, a Chandigarh-based paediatric, president, Indian Academy Pediatric, Chandigarh chapter, said: “Being the seasonal disease, diarrhoea cases go up during the monsoon season. The usage of rotavirus vaccine has prevented 50 per cent diarrhoea cases among children. In the monsoon season, 30 per cent cases are that of diarrhoea among them children aged between three to six are most affected.”

Chandigarh, July 18
Those who think of shedding weight within a ‘target period’ to impress their partners, while compromising on proper breathing and following trainers’ instructions, may get cardiac problems. The recent incident where 25-year-old Karan (name changed) from Sector 15 who had heavy bench press and admitted with a heart attack to a hospital here is a testimony.

Doctors in the city, including PGIMER experts, said not all, but those with a family history of heart attacks or sedentary lifestyle could develop thrombosis or clots in heart arteries due to excess workout.

Karan was admitted to Max Hospital, Mohali. He had set a target to build up his body as he was having muscle-building medicines, which was simply not an answer to shed weight or build up a body in such a casual way, said Anurag Sharma, senior cardiologist at the hospital.

“We frequently come across people aged between 30-40 with heart attacks, whether they are involved in regular gym activity or not. For those aged in 30s with risk factors like smoking, diabetes mellitus and hypertension should not be involved in high-intensity gym exercise regimen, without consultation or supervision of physician,” said Dr Rajesh Vijayvergiya, associate professor, Department of Cardiology, PGIMER.

Chandigarh, July 18
The resentment over the decision of vesting the power of preparing the Annual Confidential Report (ACR), of all faculty members at the GMCH-32 in the Director-Principal, taken a few years ago, has once again revived at the institute.

During a meeting of the heads of all departments at the GMCH-32 on Thursday, some of them said the withdrawal of rights to write ACRs of junior faculty from the department heads had brought down the administrative control in the departments.

The head of one of the departments (HOD) said the authority should be restored with the HODs, which received approval from others present on the spot. However, a final decision is yet to be taken.

A senior faculty member on the condition of anonymity, said, “While rules stipulate that the power of writing ACRs of faculty in a given department should be with the senior officers, there is logic behind it too. Until the head will have administrative control over the junior collegues, how will he or she ensure discipline in the department?” The previous Director, Dr Raj Bahadur, during his tenure from 2007-2013, had amended the system of writing the ACRs at the GMCH-32, sparking off resentment among the heads of 16 departments. 

What ACR rules say

The performance of every government servant is assessed annually through the assessment report that is written by his superior officer. 

Chandigarh, July 18
No Senator will directly approach PU clerical staff for any administrative work. PU Registrar AK Bhandari decided this at a meeting today and will issue communication to all wings of the Administrative Department.

Recently, there was a conflict between Senator Yograj Angrish and Panjab University Non-Teaching Employees Association (PUSA) that the Senator had used abusive language while dealing with officials of the establishment branch on the issue of transfer of a cleaner. Following which, the registrar today called the meeting and took this decision. PUSA requested the VC to issue instructions that the Senators and other officers should not contact the dealing officials directly. They should follow the hierarchy to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future. — TNS

Smartur.com announces winners

Smartur.com, a digital content provider for schools, today announced the winners of maths proficiency test (MPT). MPT held at the national level was the largest online math contest in India for students of classes 6th to 10th with topics based on CBSE curriculum. The test was based on the concept of gaming whereby students could collect coins as they kept clearing levels on mathematics. These coins could be redeemed for amazing rewards like sports gear, smart phones, pens and books.

Mobile phone launched

Hong Kong-based Sunstrike Telecom launched its high-end ultra slim, touch phone OptimaSmart 45Q, providing customers a mix of smart features, sturdiness and latest technology at an affordable price. The new OptimaSmart 45Q is equipped with advanced features like 4.2 Jelly Bean android, 1.3 GHz Quad core processor, WiFi and Bluetooth

Adidas to launch Predator shoes

Adidas today announced the launch of the Predator Instinct range, the latest incarnation of the iconic Predator football boot and timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of its original release. The Predator, made famous by players including David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, has been re-imagined in a design that celebrates the heritage of the boot alongside the animalistic instincts of the players that wear it.

Post-budget discussion

Religare Securities Limited (RSL) today organised a gathering of investors in the city and discussed smart investment strategies to capitalise on the post budget market buoyancy. In an interaction with over 200 investors and financial advisors that lasted for over two hours, a team of senior professionals from Religare detailed out a well-researched, insightful and incisive presentation on key proposals of the 2014-15 budget and the likely impact on various sectors of the economy.

ICICI Bank launches new service

Chandigarh ICICI Bank Limited, announced the launch of ‘ICICI Bank Global Banking-Hello Canada’, a convenient banking service for Indians migrated or migrating to Canada. This service offers a customer the convenience of opening a Canadian Dollar (CAD) Account with ICICI Bank Canada along with an NRI (Non Resident Indian) savings account with ICICI Bank in India.

Kapsons celebrates silver jubilee

Kapsons Group completed 25 years yesterday and the grand event is being celebrated with a special Anniversary Sale at all Kapsons, Kapkids and Krome stores until the 20th of July. The flagship store of Kapsons in Chandigarh, is all decked up on its 25th Birthday.

Elante offers tickets to Germany

As a special offer to its shoppers, Elante Mall has also organised the “Great Elante Shop and Win Festival” from July 15 to August 10, 2014, where those who spend Rs 3,000 or above on shopping or dining at any of the outlets at Elante can register themselves for the raffle draw by producing the bills, thereby getting a chance to win exciting prizes on hourly, daily and weekly basis, which include items like refrigerators, air-conditioners, LCD TVs and hourly gift vouchers worth Rs 3,000, amounting to Rs 30,000 a day and holiday to Germany.—TNS

Chandigarh, July 18
Over 40 MBBS candidates and their parents organised a ceremony to felicitate Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher here today by inviting her over for lunch after the seats were recently increased from 50 to 100 at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, here.

Following a small discussion and thanksgiving by the parents, the ceremony turned more into a “fans-celebrity meet” as most of the students kept the actor-turned-MP occupied in the photo session individually.

Kher also enacted the scenes and dialogues of her latest film “Punjab 1984” at the gathering. The students and their parents, who had protested the slashing down of MBBS seats of the GMCH by 50 per cent, felicitated MP Kirron Kher as a gesture of thanking her for her contribution. Municipal Councillor Saurabh Joshi was also honoured at the “sammaan samaroh” at Punjab University today.

Kher told the students that after completing their MBBS degree, each of them must spend at least two years of service in the rural areas.

Dr Santosh Aggarwal, (director, Shivalik Hospital), Deepak Gupta and Dr Avinder Singh Bhatia, all parents, said nod to restore 50 seats had come as a great relief for distraught parents and students.

On June 23, during the counselling for the first 50 seats at the GMCH-32, scores of students were left in the lurch when the proposal for increasing the MBBS seats from 50 to 100 was rejected by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

But 10 days ago, the decision was revoked as the institution submitted a compliance report for meeting the shortcomings and the parents led by Kirron Kher met Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on the matter.

Chandigarh, July 18
Panjab University has declared the results of BSc (Fashion Designing) first-year, BSc Honours (Bioinformatics) first-year and BSc (Microbial and Food Technology) first-year examinations.

Out of 162 students, who appeared for BSc (Fashion Designing), as many as 125 students have passed the exam. Priyanka of Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, Ludhiana, has topped the BSc (Fashion Designing) first-year examination of the PU. She scored 703 out of 800 marks. Out of 63 students, who appeared for the BSc Honours (Bioinformatics) first-year examination, as many as 26 students have passed the exam. Rhythm Gandhi of GGDSD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, has topped the BSc Honours (Bioinformatics) exam. She scored 811 out of 1,000 marks.

Out of 35 students, who appeared for the BSc (Microbial and Food Technology) exam, all 35 students have passed the examination.

Shriya Vashisht of MCMDAV College for Women, Sector 36, here, has topped the BSc (Microbial and Food Technology). She scored 573 out of 700 marks. — TNS

Chandigarh, July 18
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a new instruction for filling up 15 per cent of the all-India seats of the All-India Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Entrance Test (AIPMT). Now, students claiming MBBS seats under the state quota in a college won’t be able to apply for the same seat under the AIPMT quota. With the new instruction, more meritorious students will get chances to get into medical colleges across the country.

As per information, the instruction was issued this time after the Supreme Court had ordered to conduct the state’s counselling before the AIPMT counselling.

The instruction that a candidate cannot fill the same college, which has been allotted under the state quota, was displayed on the official website of the AIPMT counselling when the students were to fill their choices of colleges for MBBS during the first online counselling of the AIPMT 15 per cent quota seats.

The AIPMT was conducted on May 4 for 15 per cent quota of all seats in all government medical colleges of all states, except Jammu and Kashmir and Andhra Pradesh.

Vibhu Jain, a medical aspirant, whose chances of getting into medical colleges across the country have increased, said: “With the new instruction, my chances of getting into a good medical college in Delhi have increased. Earlier, students use to avail seats both under the state and the all-India quota in the same college.”

While welcoming the CBSE’s move, local academician and PMT trainer Dr Arvind Goyal said: “This instruction has given a greater opportunity to the meritorious students to be able to get a seat in all prestigious MBBS institutes all over the country. Students belonging to the local state were inhibited to fill the seat of the college already allotted to them in the state quota. This is a fair step taken by the CBSE as the 15 per cent quota AIPMT seats should ideally be for the benefit of meritorious students across the country.”

He said: “Earlier, local state students use to block seats in the same college twice - once through the state counselling and then again through the AIPMT counselling - as was the case till last year.

Chandigarh, July 18
Nearly 5,200 forms for change of school /stream/ option were deposited during the second round of counselling for admission to Class XI in government schools, which ended today.

Around 4,000 seats are available for admission to government schools. Most of the seats are lying vacant in periphery schools and in the humanities stream.

Officials from the Education Department said a large number of forms for change of schools were being submitted as most of the students wanted to get admissions only in selected schools.

The list indicating the allotment of school and streams will be displayed on July 24 at 11 am. The students can deposit fee at the allotted schools on July 25 and July 26.

Chandigarh, July 18
The Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) today announced the schedule for elections. The elections will be held on August 12.

The association decided that the preliminary list of members would be released on July 23 and the final list would be out on July 28. The last date for filing nominations would be July 31. The last date for the withdrawal of nominations will be August 1.