Chandigarh, September 19
Refusal to give information under the RTI Act has landed the DAV College authorities here, in a soup.

Raji P. Shrivastava, director, higher education, has issued an advisory to the college saying it would be improper to withhold any information on annual fee structure as its an integral part of the prospectus which is open to all.

Anil Sharma, a student of the college, wrote a letter to the college authorities to give him information of the annual fee structure for various courses under the RTI Act on September 2.

Principal of the college, S. Marriya, declined to provide any information saying that the college does not come under the preview of the RTI Act, Section 8.

In her advisory, the director, higher education, stated that DAV College, Sector 10, is an aided college, getting 95 per cent grant-in-aid from the Chandigarh administration and is controlled and substantially financed by the government. It is binding on the part of the college authorities to comply with the RTI Act.

Further, she quoted Act 2 (A), (F) and (G) of the RTI, wherein appropriate government information and public authority has been clearly defined. She elaborated that the college authorities are not covered under Section 8 of the Act, which provides exemption from disclosure of information.

In the advisory, she also stated that in an era of transparency and accountability, it is expected that our decisions must stand the test of public scrutiny.

She said issues relating to annual fee structure for various courses and leave encashment, contributory provident fund and deduction are not covered under Section 8 of the Act.

Chandigarh, September 19
The chairpersons’ committee of the science departments of Panjab University held a meeting today to discuss the issue of three internal assessments instead of two, under the chairmanship of dean, university instructions, Prof S.K. Kulkarni. The meeting was also attended by the representatives of various student organisations.

Dean, students’ welfare, Prof Naval Kishore, said a decision to hold the meeting was taken yesterday following a request from students to look into the matter.

After considering the representations from students, the committee decided to maintain status quo in conducting three internal assessment examinations for the honours school courses instead of two, as notified earlier from session 2007-08, to enable them to opt for the best two.

The schedule of these examinations to be conducted in October, December and March will be so prepared that each examination is conducted within 6 days (from Monday to Saturday) by holding two papers in a day with a view to curtain the time span involved in the tests and to ensure that the teaching days are not reduced, said Prof Naval Kishore.

Prior to the meeting, PUSU activists held a protest outside the vice-chancellor’s office to press for the same.

Chandigarh, September 19
Panjab University is flouting its appointment procedures with impunity thus, putting the rules and regulations of its own calendar at stake.

The case in question is of Vishav Mohini, deputy director, PU sports, who also holds the charge of part-time warden at the sports hostel. This instance is totally in contradiction of the rules prescribed in the PU calendar.

The PU calendar volume I, 2005, chapter (IV) B, clearly states that “The appointment of a part-time warden shall be made from amongst the members of the teaching staff of the university” - a criteria that she does not fulfill.

Further, three big rooms in the hostel have been occupied by her for which no rent is being charged. Some players, on condition of anonymity, disclosed that as many as 50 players can easily be accommodated at this place.

It is pertinent to mention that the place is being used occasionally for accommodating outstation players who come here to participate in the tournaments that are held on the campus.

“If there are no regular residents or hostellers, then what is the logic of providing free accommodation, honorarium and other allowances to a warden for the whole year?” rued other staff members.

They further argued that if being a “staff teacher” was not a necessary qualification, then what was the logic behind having it mentioned in the university calendar.

Vishav Mohini, however, has this to say in her self-defence: “I had requested the PU authorities to provide me with an accommodation which they agreed to. Where am I at fault?”

When the newly appointed additional director, PU sports, Nawal Kishore, who is also dean, students’ welfare, was apprised of this lapse, he admitted that the stipulated rules might have possibly been overlooked. “I am not able to give my statement until I look into the matter personally.”

Chandigarh, September 19
With the Indian aviation industry opening wide vistas for qualified pilots, the Airwings Aircrew Academy, Chandigarh, has tied up with the Australian National Airline College (ANAC), Melbourne, to provide professional ground training for three months in India and flying training of 234 hours in Australia to aspiring pilot trainees for obtaining a commercial pilot’s licence, along with instrument rating and multi-engine endorsement.

“On completion of the training schedule, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) will conduct a test and grant a ommercial pilot’s licence to the candidates. This Australian CPL can be easily converted to Indian CPL after returning to India and appearing in two DGCA papers”, informed Wing Commander H.S. Shergill, director of the academy. — TNS

Chandigarh, September 19
Twenty-one teachers from Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Chandigarh courted arrest today during a protest rally by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) in front of the office of the DPI (C), Punjab, at Sector 17 plaza today. They have been remanded in judicial custody till September 21.

The teachers from all over Punjab and Chandigarh were protesting in support of their long-pending demands and the teachers in all the colleges of these districts ceased work in their respective colleges according to the reports.

Principal Jaspal Singh Randhawa, president, Principals’ Association, principal V.K. Sharma of DAV College, Amritsar, and principal Mehal Singh, principal, SGGS College, Sirhali and many others, addressed the rally.

PCCTU president, Prof S.S. Hundal, while addressing the protest rally, condemned the government for “it’s dilly-dally on teachers’ demands”. He said the union submitted a memorandum to the education minister, education secretary and DPI (C), Punjab, on June 6 but the government did not initiate dialogue with the union to resolve their long-pending just demands until and unless union initiated the agitation.

Prof Iqbal Singh, finance secretary of the PCCTU, said “In its next phase of agitation, the union will hold protest rallies and 21 teachers will court arrest on September 26 and October 5. The culmination of the agitation will be on October 5 (World Teachers’ Day) when the executive committee of PCCTU will court arrest. The colleges might then be closed for an indefinite period. The teachers are determined to fight with a do or die spirit.”

Chandigarh, September 19
The students of Government Central Crafts Institute For Women, Sector 11, today organised a freshers’ party and dance competition at the campus. Punjabi music was the flavour of the function which left the students mesmerised. The party came alive with spellbinding performances by various group dances. The most awaited element was the Miss Fresher contest in which students participated with great zeal. Miss Central Crafts Institute title went to Ashna whereas Simran and Kritika were crowned first and second runners up respectively.

MOHALI
Workshop: A four-day workshop on ‘Communication in Science and Technology through Puppetry’, sponsored by the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology, Chandigarh, commenced at Rayat and Bahra College of Education, Sahauran, here today. Principal Dr Indu Rihani welcomed the resource person Zia Ahmed Khan from ‘Science aur Kianat’ Society of India, New Delhi. He is an expert in puppet making and voice modulation has conducted many workshops throughout India. Campus recruitment: More than 192 graduates participated in the job fest organised by Chandigarh based Aryans Business School (ABS) in association with Hyderabad based recruitment giant, Talent Management Input (TMI) First, in the college campus here today. Anshu Kataria, Chairman, ABS, said the campus drive was organised to ensure a platform of job opportunities for the students of the region.

Lecture: Prof Daljit Singh, dean, faculty of engineering and technology, and chairperson, department of chemical engineering and technology, delivered a lecture titled ‘Publish, Patent and Prosper: Challenges of the IPR Age’ at the national workshop on intellectual property rights being organised at the National Technical Teachers’ Training and Research Institute.

Convention: UIPS, Centre for Advanced Studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University is organising the 12th Annual Convention of Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India from October 25 to 27.

Seminar: The sociology department organised a weekly seminar on ‘Progressive Farmer’s Movements’ by Dr Surbhi Goel, department of English. The documentary shown, examined the lives of farmers and put together human stories, reflecting their problems. 

Chandigarh, September 19
A division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Mahesh Grover, today issued notice for January 15, 2008, to the union health ministry and also to the joint secretary-cum-convenor of the steering committee constituted by the ministry, on a PIL regarding complaints against tobacco companies.

The PIL, filed by Burning Brains Society, an NGO, sought action against the tobacco companies violating the law relating to prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products. It also sought directions to hold the meeting of the steering committee, established in 2006 for the purpose, by the union government.

The counsel for the petitioner, H.C Arora, averred that the union government had, in October, 2006 constituted a steering committee, headed by the joint secretary, union health ministry, and comprising some NGOs as non-official members under section 5 of 2003 Act on tobacco products.

However, till date not even a single meeting of the committee has been convened while a large number of complaints submitted by citizens against the companies for violating advertisement norms had been received, Arora submitted before the court.

The petitioner-NGO, through its chairman Hemant Goswamy, sent an agenda for consideration of the steering committee and taking action against big tobacco companies like Godfrey Phillips and also the ITC for using their tobacco brand names for non-tobacco products thereby circumventing the law against advertising tobacco products.

Chandigarh, September 19
The Consumer Court Redressal Forum-I on Monday directed the Indira Gandhi National Open University to award a compensation of Rs 5,000 along with litigation charges to the complainant, Kritendra Tiwari. The varsity was also ordered to issue a fresh grade card or certificate, incorporating the marks of the complainant’s second assignment.

Tiwari stated that he had submitted two assignments as was mentioned in the course of Bachelor of Arts (BA) during the time of admission by March 10, 2003. However, the third assignment that was submitted on April 11, 2003 was not reflected or marked in his course completion status. Though he had written to the co-ordinator of the open university asking about it, neither did he get a reply nor any extra assignments.

The complainant then rewrote two fresh assignments, which were sent to the director of the organisation on June 11, 2005 within the scheduled time as per the university’s norms.

Later, Tiwari’s result was declared, which mentioned that he had scored second division with 59 per cent. But after going through the marks of the assignment, the complainant felt that he should have got the first division.

Though a legal notice was served to the respondents on September 10, 2007, but no one appeared on their behalf.