Ludhiana, September 21
The Punjab Agricultural University Teachers’ Association (PAUTA) has urged the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal,to bail out the university from the financial crisis. The PAUTA appealed to the CM to take immediate remedial measures against the financial crunch, depleting pension fund and also ensure fresh recruitments.

The executive team of the PAUTA accompanied by media advisor, Harcharan Bains, met the CM in his office at Chandigarh on Thursday. They also impressed upon the CM to get central university status for PAU.

The CM assured all possible help to the university. He also directed the concerned officials to prepare the case for central university status for taking it up with the central government.

The PAUTA said, since the financial year 2002-03, the university was facing serious financial crisis. Even during the current financial year (2007-08), after the increase in financial grant by Rs 20 crore by the state government, the deficit still amounts to Rs 34.23 crore.

The PAUTA said, the board of management took drastic steps to reduce faculty strength to a bare minimum of 1166 as against sanctioned strength of 1468 scientists. Even this level could not be sustained due to shortfall of funds and at present, the faculty strength is around 900.

It urged the CM to either make whole budgetary provisions for meeting the shortage in pension fund or take over the pension scheme of the Punjab Agricultural University.

The PAUTA brought to the notice of the CM that the central government had recently planned to create 16 central universities during the eleventh five year plan and Punjab State was going to get one. Upgradation of PAU to the central university status will ensure assured financial assistance and bring new opportunities in research and development. The state will thus save Rs 100 crores annually, which it currently gives as grant-in-aid to PAU. 

Ludhiana, September 21
Private school teachers feel discriminated against for their hard work, while their counterparts working in the government-run schools are being paid handsome salaries.

Investigation by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that despite being highly educated the teachers had no option but to work in private schools, thanks to the dearth of employment opportunities. The irony is that the teachers are being paid salaries less than that of a peon working in government offices. The need of a job forces a highly-educated lot to accept everything as per the wishes of school authorities.

The joblessness prevailing in the country is taking its toll on deserving candidates and they end up taking jobs much below their capability. The teachers who work for hours together take a meager salary home. They fear discussing this fact as they don’t want to lose their jobs. A large number of teachers refused to comment on their plight. However, a few came forward and revealed that they were getting salary less than Rs 3,000, but were made to sign on a receipt of Rs 5,000 or more.

A teacher said she applied for the post after going through an advertisement in which it was stated that the teacher would get Rs 3,500 per month. “I joined the school, only to be told later that I would be paid Rs 2,000 only. I had no choice but to continue. Otherwise, I would have lost that opportunity as well,” she added.

They revealed that they were not given appointment letters by school authorities and even not allowed to sign attendance registers. “This means that one can be terminated anytime without any notice and the person will not be able to go to the labour courts as there is no proof of his or her employment,” a teacher said.

Another teacher said: “We are made to work throughout the day. We have to show results to the authorities. These private school authorities know that fresh admissions will depend on the results and hence make us work. We are not even offered chairs to sit down and asked to teach for eight periods without a break.”

Private school principals, however, maintained that they have to work within the schools’ financial position while keeping in mind the fee structure, building expenditure and other facilities. 

Doraha, September 21
Out of 60 prizes, the host school won a total of 16 prizes in the tehsil-level science fair organised at SKSM Senior Secondary School, Isru, recently. DAV Model School, Khanna, too won a commendable number of prizes.

In science drama, SKSM, Isru won the first prize whereas Himalaya Senior Secondary School, Khanna, won the second place.

Jyoti Verma and Radha Rani from SKSM and Parwinder Kaur Miss. Jagwinder Kaur from D.A.V.Model School, Khanna and Miss Meena from Himalaya school won prizes in competition on Extempore teaching.

The chief guest gave prizes to all the winners and announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the development of school. Harjit Singh Balahri, principal of the school, thanked the guests and the participating teams. The district science supervisor Sarabhjeet Singh Toor congratulated the winners. Gopal Public Senior Secondary School sponsored the prizes.

Ludhiana, September 21
An exhibition of Rajasthani clothes and decorative items is being organised by the Krashna Paramparik Kala Avem Hathkargha Udyog and another exhibition on home interiors and exteriors was also inaugurated today.

Sandip Singh, organiser of the Rajasthani exhibition, said “Residents of this city are quite fond of ethnic items and Rajasthani clothes, bed sheets etc sell well here. Our last 
year’s exhibition drew quite an encouraging response and this year too we are hopeful of many visitors,” said.

The exhibition has a collection of Mughal style hand paintings, block printed Rajasthani suits, sarees, bed sheets and several other handloom items.

The exhibition on interiors and exteriors is showcasing building material, furniture furnishings and also has stalls of companies offering housing finance.