The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Students under evil eye?
A Correspondent

Ahmedgarh, November 8
Managements and officials of educational institutes of the area are perplexed at the incidents of unnatural deaths of students during school hours.

The recent death of a student of Government Senior Secondary School, Rachhin, has sent shivers down the spine of students and teaching staff. Mr Harinder Singh Garcha, a senior Akali leader of Kila Raipur assembly segment, visited the aggrieved family on Wednesday. He was told that Tejinder Singh of Class X of the school fell from a tractor-trolley while he was engaged in social work along with other students of the school. Though the parents of the deceased did not complain to anybody, yet the incident itself has made managements and officials of educational institutes of the area decide that students should be subjected to classroom teaching only.

In another incident, Baby, a Class X student of a public school on Chhapar road died, under mysterious circumstances. She is said to have consumed some poisonous substance. The police had performed formalities under Section 174. In this case also, guardians of the deceased did not make any written complaint but school authorities were tense because of public criticism regarding the incident which had occurred in the immediate past. It was alleged that some teachers of the school had punished four students of a senior class and asked them to visit all classes with the faces painted black. Baby is alleged to have been one of those punished. Teachers of almost all local schools have now been advised to be tactful in handling students.

A student of yet another public school was hit by a speeding car when the students were going to a nearby historic gurdwara. A case was registered at Dehlon police station and staff and management of the school has been attending to the injured.

Vigilance awareness week observed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 8
Students of Spring Dale Public School observed Vigilance Awareness Week here today.

On the occasion, Anirudh of Class VII spoke about the causes of corruption and remedies for it. Nidhi of Class X spoke on “Erosion of moral values” and Shikha of Class VIII spoke about “Effects of corruption”. The students raised anti-corruption slogans and pledged that they would strive to fight it.

Ms Avinash Kaur Walia, Principal, said corruption had hit the social, political and economical atmosphere of the country. She said the week was observed to make the students aware of the menace of corruption.

Besides, another programme to mark Women Empowerment Year was also held in which the students prepared models and posters depicting restricted activities in life of women.

80 teachers transferred
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 8
Nearly 80 teachers from Government Senior Secondary Schools of the district have been transferred.

A majority of the transferred teachers include those teaching social studies, science and mathematics. A Hindi and Punjabi teachers have also been transferred. Similarly, transfer orders have also been given to physical education instructors.

The District Education Department said the transfers had been done to provide staff for the under staffed schools in the rural areas. However, several teachers expressed resentment against the transfers.

Expressing their resentment, members of the Democratic Teachers’ Front held a meeting with Ms Manjit Kaur, Deputy District Education Officer, demanding rationalisation in passing the transfer orders. They said that some teachers had been shifted to far-off places forcing them to waste much of their time in commuting to the school.

Strike by college employees
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 8
Demanding payment of arrears and revision of pay scales, members of the Arya College Non-Teaching Employees Union are on a strike for the past two months.

Stating this in a press note, the members said they were demanding arrears for the period from January, 1996, to January, 1999. They burnt an effigy of Mr Subhash Kumar Verma, Principal, DAV College, Jalandhar. They condemned ‘‘his apathetic attitude’’ towards the non-teaching employees. The press note stated that non-teaching staff members would go to Jalandhar and stage a dharna in front of the college. Mr Satish Mehta, a PU Senator, assured the members that he would take up their case with the authorities.

Forum orders trust to charge lower interest rate
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 8
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Improvement Trust, Ludhiana, to charge interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum instead of 36 per cent for the delayed period of payment of instalments for a flat allotted to Mr Gurdip Singh. It has also directed the trust to refund the excess interest charged from the consumer.

According to the complaint, Mr Gurdip Singh had applied for an MIG flat on June 30, 1993, as advertised by the trust, and deposited Rs 35,000.

The consumer stated before the forum that he was allotted flat number 43 in the draw of lots held on June 4, 1994, and he deposited the balance amount of Rs 55,000 as earnest money and Rs 54,000 as an instalment on March 30, 1996. He said the trust had to complete construction and hand over possession within two years and six months from the date of allotment, but it failed to do so and he was not informed about the completion of construction and provision of basic amenities.

The consumer added that when he approached the trust officials in February, 1999, he was instructed to deposit Rs 4,55,000 per month on account of interest at the rate of 36 per cent per annum and as penalty.

He stated that the trust demanded Rs 1,74,000 in May, 1999, which he deposited. He further said he had to deposit Rs 14,824 on June 2, 1999, for which no explanation was given.

He claimed that there was deficiency on the part of the respondent for not completing construction in the stipulated period.

The trust pleaded that the complainant had failed to comply with terms and conditions of the allotment letter and had failed to pay the amount due.

It stated that the flat was transferred in the name of Mr Daljit Singh Pandher and Ms Kamaljit Kaur on June 29, 1999, and he was duly informed. It alleged that the power of attorney produced by the complainant was fake. It claimed that there was no deficiency in service and the complaint was liable to be dismissed.

The forum observed that the complainant had applied for the said flat and it was allotted to him.

It stated that the complainant had deposited Rs 35,000 as earnest money and Rs 1,09,000 on March 30, 1996, but after that he paid Rs 4,55,000 only on February 12, 1999.

It said no payments were made from March 30, 1996, to February, 12, 1999.

It added that as per terms of the allotment letter, in case of default of payment of instalments, interest at the rate of 18, 20, 30 and 36 per cent per annum was to be charged for the first, second, third and fourth months of default, respectively.

It further said after four months of non-payment of instalment, the trust was entitled to cancel the allotment.

It observed that though the consumer did not pay instalments for a number of months, the respondent did not cancel allotment.

The forum said the construction of the flats had been delayed and possession was given in 1999, but the allotment was made in 1994.

It held that keeping in view the delay in completion of flats and giving of possession, interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum on the delayed instalments was reasonable for the said period.