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Tribune Impact Education Dept cracks whip against absentee teachers Pradeep Sharma Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 11 Department sources said here today that in the first phase of the drive, inspection of 17 schools in Dera Bassi and Kurali blocks of Mohali district was carried out last week. The action comes days after Chandigarh Tribune highlighted rampant absenteeism, staff shortage and proxy teaching on July 7, which were playing havoc with the education system in the rural hinterland of Dera Bassi subdivision. It is learnt that the Headmistress of Government High School, Rampur Sainian, near Dera Bassi, ordered the school closed for the day shortly after a farewell party for a staff member. Headmistress Vijay Bala ran out of luck when an inspection team found students leaving for home, a department spokesman said. He said Vijay Bala had been placed under suspension and chargesheeted under the Punjab Civil Service Rules, 1970. Not only that, 10 primary schoolteachers were found absent in the Dera Bassi tehsil. Instead of teaching, they had gone to attend a farewell party during school hours. The teams, constituted by the Secondary Education Secretary, touring the Kurali area, found three teachers absent. All had been chargesheeted. To the surprise of the team, it was found that Harpreet Kaur of Bhagwas village in Dera Bassi had been employed by a regular teacher Suresh Kumar, who was paying Rs 400 to her for doing the proxy job. Besides being chargesheeted, Suresh Kumar had been transferred to Ferozepore district. At many schools, certain teachers were found absent or coming late while some others who were present were not seen teaching. A Principal had conceded, on condition of anonymity, that absenteeism and coming late by teachers was rampant in far-flung areas. Since these areas were not well-connected, there were less chances of inspections. With a substantial number of teachers with “high-connections”, there was nothing heads of institutes could do, he added.
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3 city students make it to AIIMS
Chandigarh, July 11 Though AIIMS only declares the marks, the students claim to have bagged the second, eighth and 23rd positions, respectively. Rohan Khera, son of Dr Prajesh Khera, who runs a hospital in Pinjore, is currently out of town for an olympiad. He had earlier cleared the CBSE PMT and was ranked fifth, and also the
Manipal entrance test and was ranked third at the all-India level. A student of Moti Ram Arya School, Sector 27, Rohan has always focused to be a doctor since an early age. Ankita Chakravarty, who has been ranked eighth at AIIMS, is elated with her success. A student of SGGS Collegiate Public School, Sector 26, and daughter of Dr Satish Chakravarty and Dr Renu Chakravarty, both
running a nursing home in Panchkula, she would have loved to be in the media, but chose medical instead. Ankita has also cleared her Manipal entrance and is ranked first at the all-India level. She has also cleared the entrance of JIPMER, Pondicherry, where she has been ranked second at the all-India level. She secured the fourth rank in the CBSE PMT. Akhil Parashar, a student of Sanjay Public School, Sector 44, has secured the 23rd rank. Son of Shashi Kiran, a senior law officer, Haryana Law Department, and Vipin Parashar, an advocate in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Akhil always wanted to get into AIIMS. Akhil is currently out of town on a holiday. He was also selected for the Manipal Academy of Higher Education and was ranked fifth, while he bagged the 65th rank in the CBSE PMT and secured the sixth rank in the PU CET.
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PUSU president arrested for stabbing student
Chandigarh, July 11 The police said Mann, along with Darpinder Brar and Kamal Sidhu allegedly stabbed Harjeevan Singh, a student of DAV College, at the university's law auditorium here this evening. Harjeevan is a member of the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU), PUSU's rival students' organisation, was wounded and is admitted to the PGI. The police has also arrested Dalwinder Singh Goldy, SOPU president, Karanbir Gill and Bhagwan Singh, both of SOPU, along with Rajaydeep Singh and Jatinder Singh of PUSU under Sections 107 and 151 of the IPC. While Mann has alleged that he and his friends were “attacked” by a group of a dozen outsiders led by SOPU activists, including Dalwinder Singh Goldy, according to SOPU activists, Mann and his over 20 supporters stabbed Harjeevan when he and other SOPU activists were manning the students' help tent outside the law auditorium. Mann said he had a verbal duel with Goldy yesterday at the fee submission counter. “We were submitting the fee when
Goldy and his friends intervened and said they would submit the fee first. This led to a verbal fight. This evening when we were sitting in the tent outside the law auditorium, we were attacked by this group of outsiders. We retorted and it led to a full- fledged fight,” he said, adding that they did not have any weapon to stab anyone and did not know any of the attackers. Giving a different version, Gurbir Singh, a SOPU activist, said they were submitting the fee at the counters yesterday and it was Mann who demanded that they pay the fee first. “The verbal duel could have worsened if the police had not intervened yesterday,” he said. He added that the police had intervened yesterday and was also on the spot when the incident began. “PUSU activists had been issuing threats all through the evening from their tent. The university security had already come to the spot and the police was on its way when the incident took place. PUSU members were just a few initially, but later they came in three vehicles with swords and batons and attacked our supporters. While Darpinder Brar and Kamal Sidhu caught hold of Harjeevan, Mann stabbed him,” he alleged. The police said Harjeevan was stabbed twice and was shifted to the PGI, where his condition was stated to be stable.
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New PU VC to be named this week
Chandigarh, July 11 The term of Prof KN Pathak, the current Vice- Chancellor, comes to an end on July 22. The search committee constituted by the Vice-President, Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (who is the University's Chancellor), has already submitted a panel of names for his consideration. While most of the contenders for the post, who had been lobbying for the past one month, have now adopted a low profile since the panel of names has already been finalized. The sources said some of the strong contenders, who presume that their name finds a place in the panel, are already projecting themselves at the next Vice-Chancellor of the university. When asked about such "confident claims" being made by some contenders, sources at the Vice-President's secretariat categorically stated that no final decision has been taken by Mr Shekhawat who was keeping his cards close to his chest. But the name would be out before the week ends, said sources. Other than at least a dozen serious candidates for the post, the Dean University Instructions, Prof Veer Singh, former PU professors Prof SK Sharma and Prof Anirudh Joshi are the front runners in the race.
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Power generation resumes at Nathpa
Chandigarh, July 11 Monsoon rain pounded several areas in Himachal Pradesh since last night, plummeting the temperature and triggering landslides in mid-hills. Tourist resorts of Wildflower Hall, Kufri, Naldehra and Narkanda in Shimla district and the key tourist place of Manali in Kullu district also experienced rain. Heavy rain lashed Naudan town in Hamirpur district, recording 123 mm of rainfall till this morning. Una, Bhuntar, Sundernagar, Rampur, Sujanpur Tira and Shimla also had moderate rainfall. Torrential rains disrupted life in Hamirpur district, triggering landslides and washing away fertile land at several places in the district, met and official sources said today. Widespread loss to crops, houses, fertile land and irrigation and water supply schemes was reported from the Nadaun area of the district after receiving 123 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours. The entire area was under five to six feet of water after receiving the heaviest rainfall of the season, destroying maize crop in the Tillu area, besides cutting off the road link with the Barssal panchayat, official sources said. Landslides on the Hamirpur-Mandi national highway disrupted traffic in the Kolhoosidg area of the district. All rivers in Himachal Pradesh, including the Beas and the Sutlej and their tributaries, were in spate following torrential rains in their catchment areas two days ago. Power generation at the 1,500-MW Nathpa-Jhakri hydel project in Shimla district, which remained suspended for three days due to silt following rise in the water level in the Sutlej, was resumed today, a report from Shimla said. Several areas in Haryana, including Ambala, Karnal, Naranaul and Panchkula, were lashed by moderate rain. Hisar recorded 23.1 mm rainfall, Kalka 18.0 mm, Nelokheri 5.4 mm and Rohtak trace rainfall.
In Punjab, Nangal was the wettest place recording 88.0 mm of rainfall till morning. Ludhiana reported 0.2 mm rainfall. People sweated under humid climatic conditions at Amritsar and Patiala as the humidity level touched 90 per cent at both these towns.
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High alert sounded
Chandigarh, July 11 After getting information about a series of blasts in running trains in Mumbai, the Chandigarh Police launched a joint "combing operation" at the Railway Station along with General Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force.
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Security beefed up
Panchkula, July 11 Besides intensifying surveillance at various bus stops, crowded areas and business centres, the district police has also tightened security in and around the railway station at Kalka. It has also deployed additional police force in various townships in the district. Mr Balbir Singh, Superintendent of Police, said an alert had been sounded in the district after the serial blasts in Srinagar and in various trains in Mumbai. Nakas had been set up at every exit and entry point to the district and police patrolling had been intensified in the district. Police parties have also been deployed at various sensitive places in plain clothes for keeping a close watch on suspects and anti-social elements and to avoid any untoward incident, the SP said.
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Area Magistrate order set aside
Chandigarh, July 11 The Area Magistrate, vide order dated June 8, 2004, had dismissed an application filed by advocate Vikram Batra. He had sought directions to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sector 19 Police Station to register a first information report, investigate and file a report in a matter pertaining to alleged misappropriation of rent amount and preparation of forged receipts. In his complaint, Mr Vikram Batra had stated that a tenant in a house owned by his father had tendered Rs 1, 54,235 as arrears of rent. But his father’s counsel N.K. Jain and younger brother Naresh Batra “in conspiracy with each other misappropriated the amount and prepared forged and fabricated receipt….” As such, “necessary prosecution” should be launched against the accused. The complaint was presented before the Area Magistrate on April 15, 2004, and was sent to the SHO of Sector 19 Police Station for investigation. During the pendency of the proceedings, Mr Vikram Batra moved an application seeking directions to the SHO for registering an FIR as the “complaint was sent to the SHO as per the provisions of Section 156 (3) Cr.PC.” The application was dismissed on June 8, 2004, with the finding that the complaint was sent to the SHO after taking cognizance and not under the provisions of Section 156 (3) Cr.PC, resulting in the filing of the criminal revision petition assailing the order. After going through the matter, UT Additional Sessions Judge R.K. Sondhi observed: “I have heard counsel for the petitioner Matwinder Singh and Public Prosecutor for the state Vinay Jhingan, besides perusing the lower court record….” In his detailed order, the Judge observed: “When the petitioner (Mr Vikram Batra) applied for a specific direction, the Area Magistrate held that he had sent the complaint to the SHO after taking cognizance…. This finding of the Area Magistrate in the impugned order is not only contrary to the law and spirit of the order dated April 15, 2004, but also not sustainable factually”. The Judge further observed: “The Area Magistrate neither recorded the statement of the complainant nor postponed the complaint for recording preliminary evidence of the complaint. Thus, by no stretch of imagination, it can be said that the order passed by the Area Magistrate on April 15, 2004 — which was sought to be clarified by the impugned order — was an order under Section 202, Cr.PC”. Allowing the revision petition, the Judge ordered the setting aside of the order passed by the Area Magistrate on June 8, 2004, and directed that the order dated April 15, 2004, be treated as one under Section 156 (3) Cr.PC. “Accordingly, the Area Magistrate is directed to send the complaint to the SHO of Police Station, Sector 19, Chandigarh, for investigation and report under Section 156 (3) Cr.PC,” the Judge concluded.
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Innovators from grassroots show genius
Chandigarh, July 11 Today hundreds are using Saidullah's wonder cycle that works fabulously well in water and on land. And come to think of it - the cycle is just one of the 250 outstanding innovations based on traditional knowledge which the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) of the Ministry of Science and Technology has generously rewarded. To scout traditional knowledge experts at the grassroots level, NIF set up Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) in 2002. Since its inception, GIAN, through its three regional branches, including the one in North, has collected over 51000 traditional innovations from India and converted 22 of them into commercial enterprises. This is done through national campaigns followed by invitation of applications for awards, which are given to the most outstanding innovations, which must essentially be "unaided" and original. "Over the past three years, we have received 51000 entries and awarded 250. Of these, 22 have been commercialised. Right now the technology transfer of 14 such innovations is happening in India. One is being transferred internationally. There is a growing demand of our technologies from the USA, Turkey, Pakistan and some Commonwealth nations. We have also filed 78 patent applications in India and abroad," Mr Inderjit Khanna, President, GIAN (North) told The Tribune in Chandigarh today. He was here to announce the fifth biennial competition for scouting Grassroots Unaided Technological Innovations and Traditional Knowledge. Among one of the awarded innovations is a mechanic tree climber developed by a Kerala-based palm grower whose technology is in great demand in the USA. Then there is a special washing machine developed by a High School student from Kerala who wanted to take time off the household chores to study. So she developed an automatic washing machine that would perform the basic task of washing, though it does not rinse and dry. And all this at a cost of just Rs 1500! The machine is already selling like hot cakes. Some of the other brilliant innovations include - a mobile-operated switch developed by Mr Prem Singh Saini of Ambala. This switch can be operated by making a phone call from any preset telephone. These two innovations were masterminded by Kanak Das (Assam) and Mr Dharmendra. Mr Das's work deserves a special mention as it has redefined bicycle scope. He has developed a power generating bicycle that is resistant to pot holes and bumps on the roads. Dharmendra, on the other hand, developed a battery-operated seed sprayer at a very low cost. Thanks to the high level of effectiveness of indigenous technology developed by rural masterminds, NIF is now getting support for its augmentation activities from the Small Industrial Development Bank of India.
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Using past knowledge to innovate for future
Chandigarh, July 11 In Chandigarh along with six traditional innovators from North India, who have been honoured by the NIF under the aegis of the Ministry of Science and Technology for their exceptional grassroots innovations, Amandeep told The Tribune that he wanted to enter the world of R and D (Research and Development). For a boy hailing from a tiny village in Rajasthan, the claim would have been impossible to live up to, had it not been for his power to dream big. So he did. And NIF noticed. Today Amandeep demonstrated how his “much hailed” wooden lamination machine works with the power of solar energy. Even when the sun is not as strong, it works with standby electrical energy. As against market rates which are high, Amandeep can laminate papers at the cost of just 50 paise per square inch. Small wonder then that the low cost initiative of the boy has won him the President’s award under NIF’s project to scout, document, spawn, augment and commercialise traditional technologies. In contrast to Amandeep’s discovery stands the initiative of Sundaram Verma from Danta village in Rajasthan. Famed as the plantation man of Rajasthan, Sundaram has shown how trees can survive with just one little of water in a lifetime. He does this by a deep ploughing technique that prevents the loss of water. He is also the developer of a unique variety of chilly that is now the best in the country. Yusuf Khan from Sikar is another mastermind, who saved groundnut growers from tremendous losses. Also nominated for the Asian Innovators Award, his groundnut digging machine prevents the wastage of 25 per cent groundnuts which are invariably lost when colleted manually. Partnering Yusuf Khan in agricultural technologies is Tej Goyal from Mandi, who has developed a special thermo water lifting pump which is powerful enough to lift 200 litres water in every 80 seconds thus helping farmers to save fuel. From Haryana, Gopal Saluja and Ashok Kumar have won accolades - the former for his ceiling cooler which has been developed in three sizes and five designs and the latter for his home tea vending machine which offers a hit cup at the press of a button.
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Aiming to bridge the academe-industry gap
Chandigarh, July 11 This was stated by Dr Gurpreet Dhillon, Professor, Information Systems, School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA, who grew up here, went to St. Johns School, before doing his PhD. from the London School of Economics. He is currently visiting Chandigarh. Having considered various options to ‘pay back’, he preferred kind to cash. Dr. Dhillon, who believes that it is more important to empower the people rather than giving them small doles, envisaged a brilliant plan that has already taken off in the form of a Conference on Information Science, Technology and Management (CISTM). The first one in India took place in New Delhi last year. “My vision is to work for uplifting of human society so with the help of the St. John Old Boys Association (SJOBA), the second conference will be held in the city. Two such conferences have also been held at Cape Town in South Africa and Alexandria in Egypt”, he disclosed. Dr Dhillon who is also Director of the Information Institute, USA, said the three-day Chandigarh Conference would be inaugurated by Mr Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Science and Technology and Ocean Development. It is being jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Information Institute and the SJOBA Foundation from July in the CII building here. He disclosed that the mission of the Information Institute was to encourage global associations among individuals and organisations for educational, economic and social improvement. The intent behind the series is to disseminate cutting-edge research in information science and technology in communities where traditionally similar outlets do not exist”, he said, explaining the objective being setting up the Information Institute that provides grants and funding to students working towards these objectives. This conference aims to bring together academics and practitioners who have an interest in the subject matter to define strategies and facilitate a dialogue, develop a macro perspective to highlight the current and future trends, deliberate and share experiences on different facets of recent advancements in this vital sector, he said. Participants at the conference will include international delegates representing leading IT industries and institutions, “Security Professor” as he is nicknamed by his students, Dr Dhillon studied at the London School of Economics during the period that saw scholars like Merton Miller, Robert Coase, Fredrick Von Hayek, Robert Mundell, Amartya Sen (all from LSE) receive Nobel prizes. During this time he was greatly influenced by the works of Anthony Giddens, who was to later become the Director of LSE. All this formed the backdrop, which resulted in Dr Dhillon exploring social theory to study issues related to security of information.
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Schemes for city discussed
Chandigarh, July 11 The Adviser to the Administrator, Mr Lalit Sharma, the Home Secretary, Mr Krishna Mohan, the Finance Secretary, Mr S.K.Sandhu, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr R.K.Rao, the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Mr P.S.Aujla, the Housing Board Chairman, Mr S.N.Sahai, the Joint Secretary Finance, Ms Raji P.Shrivastava, the Joint Secretary Home, Mr Bhupinder Singh, and certain other senior officials were present on the occasion. Addressing the meeting, the Adviser, Mr.Lalit Sharma, said, "since Chandigarh is a fast developing city, its needs are greater. "It has become a hub of north India and is also facing pressure of adjoining townships of Mohali, Panchkula and Baddi", he further said. During the presentation the Director, Public Relations, Mr Vivek Atray, explained various key initiatives. The Administration’s endeavour to provide an accessible and transparent administration with the help of Information Technology, higher rate of economic growth by encouraging economic activities, infrastructural services at par with the advanced countries and special emphasis on reaching out to those whom development has by-passed was explained in the presentation. Various schemes sent to the Government of India for approval under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) like augmentation of water supply, sewerage system and stormwater drainage were discussed. The proposal of elevated highway from Junction 43 (Transport Chowk) to Housing Board Chowk, Manimajra, was also explained. Schemes of solid waste management, improvement of road network and creation of other infrastructure was also discussed. The presentation also called for augmentation of the existing transport infrastructure. The presentation highlighted the various action areas of Administration like economic growth, infrastructure and information technology. Changing character and increasing pace of economic activity in Chandigarh was also discussed. New initiatives of mono rail system, city centre-34, 11 storeyed building, city centre-17, and up-gradation of airport were also discussed in the meeting.
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Strike by Central bank employees
Chandigarh, July 11 The employees owing allegiance to all four unions — All-India Central Bank Employees Federation, All-India Central Bank Employees Congress, All-India Central Bank Officers Union and Rashtriya Central Bank Officers Congress — participated in the nationwide protest against the alleged arrogant and autocratic attitude and approach of the management. Mr B S Gill, general secretary of the Central Bank of India Employees Union, said that work remained suspended in all 230 branches and extension counters of the bank in Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The employees are on agitation since June 23 demanding restoration of bilateralism in resolving issues and recruitment of clerks, sub staff and watch and ward staff. They are also protesting against the unilateral transfer of office-bearers of the union in violation of the existing norms, deviation from existing rules and norms for discussion with union, delay in settling retirement / terminal dues etc.
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UT employees hold protest
Chandigarh, July 11 The employees are protesting against the non-implementation of their “accepted demands” by the UT Administration, which have recommended to the Centre for approval. The employees are demanding regularisation of daily wage employees, Central Government service conditions for UT employees, grant of bonus to the UT employees and appointments on compassionate grounds.
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Protest rally by powermen
Chandigarh, July 11 The employees’ demands include filling of vacant posts with the department and implementation of SIU report, appointment to the next of the kin of the deceased employees, grant of 9/16 years scales and removal of pay anomalies. Bhagmal Rana, general secretary federation, and Ram Sarup, president, while addressing the gathering stated that another dharna and demonstration would be held on July 13 and if there demands are not further met they would observe a 24-hour strike on July 19.
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Valmiki sabha holds sammelan
Chandigarh, July 11 A large number of people from various parts of Punjab,
Haryana, Chandigarh and Hardwar participated, in the sammelan. Mr Geeja Ram Valmiki, chairman of the sabha presided over the function. Dr Raj Kumar Verka, Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab, was the chief guest and Dr Harbans Lal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab, was special guest.
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Doctor held for taking bribe
Panchkula, July 11 Sources in the polices, Mr Prabhat Sood, a psychiatrist, was arrested by a VB team led by inspector Karta Ram for taking a sum of Rs 800 from his patients Gian Chand Sharma and his brother Ajay Dutt, residents of Harmipal Nagar Colony, Bartana, in Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat. The VB said that the doctor had been harassing the patients for the last over three days and finally demanded Rs 2000 for the treatment. The patients initially made a payment of Rs 1000 to the doctor but he again started harassing them for more money. The “harassed” brothers complained to the VB and a trap was laid to nab the doctor. The patients them approached the doctor and the deal was settled for Rs 800. The VB sprinkled sodium carbonate powder on the demanded money and handed over it to the complainants. The VB team also accompanied the complainants and to the residence of Prabhat Sood and caught him red-handed while accepting the bribe money. Mrs Vandna Disodia, City Magistrate and investigating officer of the case, said that the doctor has been arrested under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The police has also recovered the bribe -currency notes of Rs 800 - from Prabhat Sood.
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50-yr-old woman commits suicide
Chandigarh, July 11 Sources in the Sector 19 police station said the victim, Raj Rani, mother of five, was found dead in the park by someone who called the police at around 4 pm. The PCR vehicle shifted her to the Sector 16 General Hospital, where she was declared dead. The police said the woman might have brought the poisonous substance with her. Her husband Sultan Singh told the police that she had come to his office and they had a minor altercation. He went back to work, having no inkling that she could take the extreme step. The police said the reason behind the suicide was still uncertain, but no one from the family suspected foul play. The statements of the children were also recorded. The couple had married off one of their daughters in April and were reportedly under financial constraints.
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Dimpy’s murder: cops still in dark
Chandigarh, July 11 Sources said the police today questioned several persons in connection with the case, but failed to achieve any breakthrough. So far, the police has procured the details of hundreds of phone calls that were made during the evening of the murder by those using mobiles in the area. The sources said raiding parties in Muktsar were trying to identify the arms dealers who sold the .45-bore cartridges used in the crime. Police officers, however, refused to share the details of investigations regarding the arms dealers. The UT SSP, Mr Gaurav Yadav, remained in the crime branch for hours and was supervising the investigations. Mr Yadav was not available for comments. However, police officers said some vital clues had come up during the course of investigations today.
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Two booked for fraud
Mohali, July 11 Mr Kamaljit Singh, a resident of Jalandhar, had complained that Narinder Jeet Singh of Jalandhar and Ajmer Singh of Phase III-A of Mohali had allegedly taken Rs 3.5 lakh from him on a promise of sending him to Italy. However, even after taking such a large amount from him he was not sent abroad.
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