EDUCATION

Query time for quiz master
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 5
It was assessment and query time for the quiz master himself with Derek O’Brien answering questions posed by parents of children enrolled with his course of ``Knowledge Quotient’’ in two schools of the city this afternoon.

He enchanted the students as well as their parents with his easy ways and art of being able to strike a conversation instantly at special sessions organised for interaction at St. John’s High School, Sector 26, and St Stephen’s, Sector 45.

At the two sessions, O’Brien signed the KQ books of the students and expressed satisfaction with their performance in the last few months since the launch of the programme in the city schools. It may be recalled that the quiz master was in town over three months back when he launched the KQ Advantage, a systematic programme aimed at effective communication, developing memory skills, creativity skills, effective habits which ultimately lead to overall personality development.

While the quiz master visited two schools on the first day of the “feedback’’ exercise, he is expected to visit two more schools tomorrow. Also, a quiz is slated for tomorrow at Shivalik Public School, Sector 41 where 30 schools of the city are expected to participate.

Test for teacher’s posts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 5
The Education Department is all set to declare the results of the recently concluded written test for recruitment of 119 school teachers while a blueprint for the next examination for 324 additional posts is also ready for execution.

Sources in the department said that interview letters would be despatched to all successful candidates between December 15 and 22 while interviews would be held in the first week of January next year. Out of the 11, 795 candidates eligible for the examination, 7,587 had appeared for the written examination held on November 29 and December 1 and 2.

In another development, the schedule for 324 posts advertised by the department in October this year has also been cleared. Sources said that the roll numbers for eligible candidates would be sent by December-end.

The written test is scheduled to be held after a fortnight.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Pay 18 pc interest on delayed retiral dues
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 5
Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill of the High Court on Wednesday directed the state of Haryana and other respondents to pay simple interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum to a retired headmaster belonging to Yamunanagar district from the date of his retirement till the payment of retirement benefits.

Delivering the verdict on a petition filed by Mr Yoginder Kishore, Mr Justice Gill observed: “Counsel for the petitioner has drawn my attention to a case wherein it has been held that where there is no reason or justification for not making the payment for months together, the respondents shall pay simple interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum from the date of retirement till the date of payment. This case is squarely, covered by a Supreme Court judgement. Therefore, the respondents are directed to pay simple interest at 18 pc per annum from his retiring date till the payment of retirement benefits”.

Notice on vet hospitals’ upgrading

Taking up a petition filed by two doctors seeking directions to the state of Punjab and other respondents for upgrading the existing veterinary dispensaries and hospitals in the state, a Division Bench of the High Court has issued notice of motion for April 29 next year.

In the petition, taken up by the Bench, comprising Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice Ashutosh Mohunta, Dr Rajinder Singh of Sangrur and Dr O.S. Kalra of Patiala had contended that the respondents, instead of upgrading the existing dispensaries to hospitals, had opened about 400 dispensaries. As a result unqualified veterinary pharmacists were holding independent charge of the dispensaries, in violation of the Indian Veterinary Council Act, their counsel had added.

Counsel submitted that the pharmacists were issuing health certificates and prescribing medicines without supervision. A report published in the Chandigarh Tribune was also enclosed along with the petition in support of the contentions.

Status quo on panchayat funds

Legal Correspondent adds: Issuing notice of motion on a writ petition filed by Kariha gram panchayat in Nawanshahr district, Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice Ashutosh Mohunta of the High Court has ordered the maintenance of the status quo regarding the utilisation of funds. The gram panchayat had challenged the action of the authorities, in issuing cheques meant for the development work in the name of the BDPO, ignoring the elected sarpanch.

DISTRICT COURT
Defamation case against Riar adjourned
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, December 5
A local court today adjourned the defamation case filed against the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Local Unit, Mr Gurpartap Singh Riar, for March 6.The complainant, Ms Harjinder Kaur, Mayor, had filed a case before the court on November 19, 1999, under Section 500 of the IPC. The complainant had alleged that Partap Singh Riar openly defamed her by saying that she had illicit relations with senior Akali leaders and former minister in Congress.

The case was adjourned for the evidence of the Mayor. Court allows appeal

A local court has allowed the appeal of the Ved Surgical Private Limited, Jind, against the Haryana Financial Corporation in which the court held that “in these circumstances the sale of property of Ved Surgical Private Limited is held illegal ultra-vires, null and void, arbitrary and against the principles of natural justice. Hence it cannot be confirmed.”

The court also held that the suit for appellant is maintainable and the appellant is entitled to the relief claimed. The suit was filed for a declaration to the effect that the impugned sale of Ved Surgical Private Limited is illegal, ultra-vires and null and void and the plaintiff is entitled to restoration of suit property. However, the court made it clear that the HFC was at liberty to take fresh proceeding against the appellant on the ground of non-payment of dues or any violation of the provisions of Act or the terms and conditions on which loan was given to it.