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| IIM fee cut sparks off debate on education BANGALORE, Feb 14: The Centre’s decision to drastically cut fees at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) seems......more Public
offer of GAIL to NEW DELHI, Feb 14: Government today said the public offer of state-owned gas transmission company GAIL would hit.....more ‘Feel
good factor, a CHENNAI, Feb 14: Expressing confidence that the electorate would return the nda to power in the coming general elections......more Books
facing danger NEW DELHI, Feb 14: Observing that books were facing the "danger" of being dominated by market forces, Human....more |
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Kalam advises children to have a vision in life RANCHI, Feb 14: Interacting with children here, President A P J Abdul Kalam today asked them to have dreams in life.......more AP
Government HYDERABAD, Feb 14: The Andhra Pradesh Government is planning a Rs 4,200-crore metro railway project in the city.....more Foundation
stone of BILASPUR, Feb 14: Another milestone was added to the road communication network.....more ‘Seat-sharing
talks CHENNAI, Feb 14: The BJP is in no haste to finalise its seat-sharing arrangement........more |
IIM fee cut sparks off debate on education BANGALORE, Feb 14: The Centre’s decision to drastically cut fees at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) seems to have sparked off a wider debate about the quality and content of the entire system of education in the country. That the fee cut question is only the starting point of what is becoming a vigorous debate in academic circles and among the general public was apparent at a panel discussion, organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) here today. Interestingly, it was the stand taken by the ABVP which raised more than a few eyebrows — the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, while not openly opposing the stand of the Ministry of Human Resources Development, appeared to distance itself from the move by saying the cut in tuition fees by itself was not a major question. Instead, ABVP general secretary K N Raghunandan stressed the need to analyse the implications of such a move on the iims and also to address the wider problems of the system of higher education in the country. The case for the fee cuts was made most forcefully by Prof U R Rao, chairman of the Government-appointed panel to suggest measures to revitalise technical education institutions. Prof Rao, a former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, was of the view that tuition fees charged by educational institutions would necessarily have to be in line with the per-capita income of the country. "Why should the poor be loaded with high fees?," he asked. Observing that fees at IIMs were increased to their present levels only in 1994-95, Prof Rao said objections were raised then as were being done now. Even while stating that the autonomy of the premier management institutions could not come at the cost of lower fees, he was of the view that since autonomy had not been tampered with in an earlier era of lower fees, it was unlikely to be done now. Concurring with this point of view was Dr Kapil Kumar, member of the Indian Council for Historical Research. He said it was wrong to "raise a hue and cry" when the matter affected just about 4,000 of the nearly 70,000 management students in the country. He also sought to paint a grim prospect of little-known foreign management education institutions entering the country and charging exorbitant fees once education was opened up under the general agreement on trade in services. But Dr S L Rao, Chairman of the Institute of Social and Economic change, was of the opinion that the real problem was not money but the lack of confidence arising out of poor English language skills that haunted a number of students from economically and socially weaker sections. "If the Government has money to spare, it can be spent on remedial classes for such students," he remarked. Furthermore, he pointed out that economic experience had proven that price control had never worked in India. Perhaps the most forceful argument against a fee cut came from one of the affected parties — Ramesh Venkateswaran, Professor at IIM-Bangalore and president of the IIM-B Alumni Association. "You don’t need to fix something that is already working well. Why should the Government attempt to rob the poor to pay for the education of the rich?," he asked. Despite the different points of view on the fees question, all agreed that education had fallen prey to vested interests which were not even mindful of the basic purpose of education. Prof U R Rao pointed out that of the over 1,200 engineering colleges and 900 management institutions, 70 per cent were self-financing. "A number of them, located mainly in the southern states and Maharasthra, are propelled by political heavy-weights. All private institutions are run for profit and money is taken on one pretext or another. There is no end to money-grabbing," he said. Prof Rao was also critical of industry for not doing much to help the cause of education. "Our committee has suggested that 0.5 per cent of the salary of an individual should be deducted at source and put into an escrow account which will fund the education sector. A matching contribution must also be made by employees," he said. Even while there was a rush to secure degrees in technical areas, India was facing a shortfall of 30,000 PHDs. "Only 375 PHDs are awarded every year in this country. This is the sorry state of affairs," he said. Dr S L Rao likened the quality of management graduates to that of Indian industry — a few doing really well but the rest characterised by lack of skills and professionalism. The recognition norms of the All India Council for Technical Education needed to be revised to have rigorous inspection, monitoring and penalities, he suggested, adding that the board of management studies would have to be made autonomous of the AICTE. The curriculum would also have to be changed to have a great deal more of Indian cases and concepts, he added. Prof U R Rao, while agreeing that the accreditation criteria were "not good enough," said that once a university was declared "deemed" it was "doomed." (UNI) |
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Public offer of GAIL to hit market on Feb 27 NEW DELHI, Feb 14: Government today said the public offer of state-owned gas transmission company GAIL would hit the market on February 27 followed by ONGC public float on March 5. "After a detailed meeting with stock exchanges and merchant bankers yesterday, it has been decided that GAIL public offer would now open on February 27," Disinvestment Secretary Dhirendra Singh told PTI when asked about the new schedule drawn up by the Government. As per the revised schedule chalked-out yesterday, GAIL public offer would now precede ONGC’s IPO which is slated for March 5, in order to enable Government to complete the six IPOs by March 13. Sources associated with the process said initial placement of GAIL IPO for March 13 may not have given enough time for completing the procedural formalities. "There needs to be enough time for shares to get listed, and also there are formalities with various stock exchange, and work to be done by the Registrar of the issues," sources said adding that there were concerns that the original schedule of IPOs may not have left sufficient time for completing all these procedures in a proper manner before March 31, 2004. As per the new schedule, IPCL public offer would open on February 20, while that of CMC would hit the market on February 23. "IBP and dredging corporation public offers might be timed for February 26. The GAIL public float would open on February 27 and INGC on March 5," sources pointed out. With IPCL public offer slated for February 20, the roadshows would start on February 17, 2004 in Mumbai. Sources said the sequence of IPOs had been drawn out in such a way that public offer of Government equity in already disinvested companies like IBP, IPCL and CMC would hit the market first. "Only then the public offer for minority stake would hit the market," sources pointed out. Government would offload 10 per cent equity each in ONGC and GAIL, while in the case of IPCL, IBP and CMC, it would make a public offer for its residual equity. Government would also offload, through a public float, about 20 per cent stake in DCIL. With these six IPOs lined up in the coming weeks, Government hopes to surpass its disinvestment target of Rs 13,200 crore for the current financial year, and mop up close to Rs 14,500 crore. (PTI) |
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‘Feel good factor, a way of projecting mood of partners’ CHENNAI, Feb 14: Expressing confidence that the electorate would return the nda to power in the coming general elections, Defence Minister George Fernandes today said the "feel good factor" was a way of projecting the mood of the alliance partners. ‘The mood at the moment is a good one. I have no doubt that the NDA will once again be voted into office by the people’, Fernandes told reporters at the airport here en route to Mumbai. He had arrived here from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands where he had addressed the NCC national integration camp and interacted with commanders of the defence services. He said the Centre’s achievements under Prime Minister A B Vajpayee over the last five years included economic growth, employment generation, and tackling of sensitive issues like ties with Pakistan. Speaking on relations with Pakistan, he said a ceasefire was in place along the Line of Control and trade and business links had been restored. Referring to China, he said issues that were the cause of conflict and subsequent stand-offish situation were being addressed. ‘The two countries were moving in the direction of dialogue between them with representatives of Prime Ministers of both countres conducting talks’. Relations with China had ‘grown beyond expectations’, Fernandes said, adding the Chinese Defence Minister was due to visit India next week. On the domestic front, Fernandes said economic development was on the rise with infrastructure building that was never witnessed in the past, and massive employment generation. Referring to coalition politics at the Centre, he said NDA had demonstrated that such politics could provide a very stable Government. "This is the first time, it has been successful. Not merely by just staying in office but by being more successful than any Government since Independence," he claimed. (PTI) |
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| Foundation stone of Rs 20.33 crore bridge
laid at Bagchhal BILASPUR, Feb 14: Another milestone was added to the road communication network of Himachal Pradesh when Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh laid the foundation stone of a 290 meter span long bridge that would cost Rs 20.33 crore at Baghchhal in this district yesterday. He said that the bridge would be the biggest ever built in the state and would be constructed as per the latest technology and keeping in view the requirement of the future. He said that the bridge would facilitate about 40,000 population of Kotdhar area of the district, which had been the most backward area of the district and remained deprived of road communication for many years. The Chief Minister said that Rs 571 crore were being spent on construction of bridges and roads during current financial year in the state. He said that out of target of 400 Kms. Of roads construction 370 Kms. Roads had already been constructed besides dedicating 22 bridges out of target of 40 bridges for the current financial year. He said that road length had increased from less than 300 Kms. At the time of state’s coming into being to over 24,000 Kms. In the state. He said that the credit of increasing road connectivity length goes to Congress led Governments which had concentrated its all policies for providing connectivity for the remote and far-flung area of the state. The Chief Minister said that Government considers roads as lifeline for the people of the state besides expanding educational activities, and added that the number of educational institution in the Government sector had crossed the 15,000. He said that the Government was committed to connect all the Gram Panchayat headquarters with motorable roads in coming four years. He also directed pwd authorities to ensure the construction of Baghchhal bridge in three years time. He said that the Government would take up of the matter for constructing old Bilaspur-Swarghat road via Jagatkhana on priority for the convenience of the people so that distance between Bilaspur-Swarghat could be reduced considerably and people provided better transportation facilities. He said that many other roads would also be constructed in phased manner to provide better connectivity services in the backward area of Kotdhar. Industries Minister Ram Lal Thakur speaking on the occasion said that Congress led Governments had helped in rehabilitation of Bhakra Dam oustees and provided 287 residential plots at Bilaspur. He said that it was Congress Government under leadership of Mr Virbhadra Singh who had waived off the loans of Rs 68 lakhs of the oustees and carried out various activities for their rehabilitation. He said that the oustees were provided lands for residential and agricultural activities to help them earn their livelihood respectfully. He said that many other measures were under way to rehabilitate the oustees. He also detailed various developmental activities undergoing in the area. (UNI) |
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‘Seat-sharing talks progressing, no hurry to finalising it’ CHENNAI, Feb 14: The BJP is in no haste to finalise its seat-sharing arrangement with the AIADMK after having revived its alliance with the party for the coming Lok Sabha polls, Union Law and Justice, Commerce and Industry Minister Arun Jaitley said today but described the talks in this direction as progressing. He told newspersons at the airport here that the talks were being held both at the national as well as state-level by senior leaders of the two parties. Mr Jaitley, who is here to attend a party programme, also said the BJP need not be in any undue hurry to finalise the seat-sharing with the AIADMK as the election dates were yet to be announced. "We don’t have to rush as the election dates have not been announced," he averred. To questions on the debate over AICC president Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin coming in the way of her being projected as Prime Ministerial candidate, Mr Jaitley said the question was relevant vis-a-vis the Constitutional provisions. "It is an important issue," he added. He said while the BJP had Vajpayee Government’s five-year proven track record, the "Congress was on the backfoot" on the issue of Prime Ministerial candidate itself. Noting that ‘able governance’ and the ‘feel good factor’ would be the NDA’s plank, which he claimed was evident throughout the country, Mr Jaitley said "wherever you go, the ‘feel good’ factor is there." There was no alternative to Vajpayee-led NDA Government which had managed to sensitise issues like striving to build peaceful relations with Pakistan and the Kashmir issue, he claimed. "We have a positive agenda," Mr Jaitley noted adding that the NDA would contest on these issues. The NDA Government was building a "strong and vibrant India" focussing on the development of rural areas and bringing them on par with the cities. The NDA governance in crucial areas like economy and diplomacy have been proved, he claimed. By completing a full five-year term, the Vajpayee Government has given coalition politics a new meaning, Mr Jaitley observed. (UNI) Escaped terrorists from Burail
jail are still JALANDHAR, Feb 14: Union Minister of State for Home I D Swami today said that three terrorists accused in the Beant Singh assassination case who recently escaped from the Burail jail in Chandigarh "are still in the country." We have intelligence reports that the accused in the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh are still in the country and have not fled, Swami told reporters here. He said that a red alert at all the international airports had been sounded to prevent them escaping from the country. "We have collected some vital clues on who all helped them in their escape from the jail and investigation in this regard is still on", he added. "To fix responsbility of the jail officials for their negligence in the episode, the committee headed by former Commissioner of Delhi Police, R S Gupta has been formed and strict action will be taken against those who are found guilty in the escape case", he said. Jagtar Singh Hawara, Jagtar Singh Tara, Paramjit Singh Beora along with another inmate escaped on January 22 from the high security Burail model jail by digging a 100-feet long tunnel. Swami ruled out that there were any chances of revival of militancy in Punjab."The people of the state are strong enough to reject any such move and as they have already faced the dark days of militancy. Any attempt of anti-social elements to create panic in the state will prove futile", he said. On the snapping of BJP’s ties with Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in Haryana, he said that the saffron party would contest the Lok Sabha election in the state on its own. On the recent episode in which Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s aircraft entered into the no-fly-zone over the residence of Prime Minister, Swami termed it as pilots’ negligence and said appropriate action would be taken after the investigation in this regard was over. (PTI) Agents call for recognition from Indian Railways NEW DELHI, Feb 13: Travel agents in India could issue tickets for foreign railway networks like amtrak and rail Europe but not for the trains operated by the Indian Railways. This is the situation in the country where Tourism Industry is touted as one of the biggest foreign exchange earners, where travel agents find it hard to get recognition from the railways. Ambe world travels managing partner Anil Kalsi says, "it is an irony that a travel agent in New Delhi cannot issue tickets to the Indian Railways but can do the same for rail Europe and Amtrak. We are not recognised by the Indian Railways to buy rail tickets on behalf of our clients." As on date, only Railway Ticket Selling Agents (RTSA) can sell rail tickets commercially apart from the railway counters and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation’s (IRCTC) web site. Swiftravel International Managing Director Rajji Rai points out that the RTSA’s appointed by the railways, about three decades ago have remained unchanged till date. "Only 10 per cent of the RTSAS are accredited travel agents," he adds. Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) president Balbir Mayal complains that things have not changed for the past one decade. "One of my staff was once arrested for purchasing railway tickets. I cannot represent my clients if they want to travel by train. As of now, everything is in the hands of touts." Mr Kalsi says that for the common man, a rail ticket is usually associated with long queues. "Getting rail tickets is a big headache. IRCTC launched its on-line ticketing site last year, but then also things haven’t changed because only those who have a credit card and access to the internet can use the service." Mr Mayal says, "we will work on their behalf and don’t want any commission also. We only want recognition and want representation to buy tickets for our clients." As a result, Mr Kalsi explains, travel agents now promote tours in the vicinity of airports as getting rail tickets is difficult for them. If the agents are allowed to sell rail tickets, they can even promote destinations without airports. IRCTC managing director M N Chopra says the main focus of setting up IRCTC was to sell tickets online and to make it easier for passengers to buy tickets. The basic principle of IRCTC was ‘empowerment of the individual.’ "After one year of operations," says Mr Chopra, "IRCTC books more than 3,000 tickets daily. And apart from credit card we also have an option for e-bank transfers with all the banks offering the service." Mr Kalsi and Mr Mayal, however, agree that if travel agents are allowed to sell railway tickets, sales will go up. In Mr Mayal’s opinion business could go up by 20 per cent. However, Mr Chopra doubts such a decision would affect ticket sale in a significant manner. "Even if the railways allows travel agents to book tickets, the number of passengers who travel by train will remain the same," he adds. According to Indian Railways’ Public Relations Officer M Y Siddiqui, there are three agencies in Mumbai, which have been authorised by the Government for issuing rail tickets. "Allowing a travel agent to issue tickets involves huge risks. There are chances that the tickets might get blocked and in turn make it even more difficult for the common man to get tickets," he says. "The travel agents may even sell tickets at a premium during peak seasons," he adds. TAAI, nevertheless, had initiated talks with the Ministry of Railways a couple of years back to sort out the issue. But nothing worked out, says Mr Mayal. "But all we got for our efforts till now," says Mr Mayal, "is bureaucratic delays. The Railway Ministry makes us go round and round in circles." in Mr Rai’s opinion the present lot of RTSAS have a strong lobby that prevents any change in the status quo. Mr Kalsi represented TAAI on National Rail Users Consultative Council (NRUCC) two years ago and made three presentations to the then Railway Minister but nothing materialised. "We are trying to push it through this time," he says, "let us see what happens. We can only hope for the best." Mr Mayal feels authorities should cooperate with travel agents and accord them recognition to issue tickets. "this (non-recognition) is a hindrance for the development of domestic tourism," he argues. "TAAI members are recognised by the International Air Transport Association, Airlines, and the Government. I don’t see any reason that the railways should not recognise us. We are ready to fulfill any criteria and run according to rules. We can even have an arrangement like bank guarantees." Mr Rai says the Government has recognised the potential of tourism and has adopted many tourism-friendly policies. "Hopefully this issue will also be settled by this year-end. If nothing happens this time, then public interest litigation will be the last option left to resolve this issue. I will discuss this matter with my legal representative in detail," he adds. But Mr Chopra has a good news for the travel community. He recently proposed to the railway board to allow corporate booking on IECTC’s web site. The board, however, is yet to take a decision on the issue. (UNI) Panel set up to probe theft of titanium alloy rings BANGALORE, Feb 14: A high level committee has been set up to inquire into the theft of the titanium alloy rings from Indian Space Research Organisation’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said today. "It is a breach of security, of course.... We have set up a high level committee to inquire into the theft," Nair told reporters after inaugurating the new telemedicine facility of Narayana Hrudayalaya on the outskirts of the city. He said the titanium rings, developed at the Mishradatu Nigam (Midani) Hyderabad, were one of the first production lots which was kept outside the bonded store for inspection. "This is used for experimental packages. It is not a critical item," Nair said. The theft of the 29 rings valued at Rs 22.5 lakh was reported on Thursday from the high security LPSC complex during a routine check. Nair said the elite central industrial security force was looking after the security of the installation. LPSC group director C S Prasad in a complaint to the police said the rings were brought from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. LPSC is engaged in the development of liquid and cryogenic propulsion stages for launch vehicles and auxiliary propulsion system for both launch vehicles and satellites. (PTI) Novel AIDS awareness project launched MADURAI, Feb 14: ‘My Life My Choice’, a novel project to create awareness about AIDS prevention, especially among vehicle drivers, was launched on a pilot basis in this district today. Launching the project, Tamil Nadu Transport Minister R Viswanathan said this was the first time that such a scheme had been launched, making the regional transport offices the nodal points for creating awareness about the dreaded disease. The minister even suggested that adequate awareness about AIDS should be made mandatory for issuing driving licences. It could begin from this district as well, he added. About the project, he said this could be replicated in other districts and later throughout the state. The objective is to make drivers, especially heavy vehicle drivers, adopt a more responsible sexual behaviour and bring about changes in their day-to-day life, besides enabling them to have a more informed choice about their life. Later, talking to mediapersons, Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS) Director K Deenabandhu said incidence of AIDS had been brought down to 0.75 per cent in the state. It continued to be high in Namakkal district, followed by Tirunelveli, Madurai, Kumbakonam and Tiruchirapalli. To keep its spread at bay, the Government was distributing free medicines to HIV/AIDS patients at five hospitals — Madras Medical College Hospital, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Kilpauk Medical College Hospital and Tambaram Sanatoriam, all in Chennai, besides the CMC Hospital, Vellore. Further, free counselling and testing was available at all district headquarters hospitals, he added. According to him, truck drivers, migrant labourers and commercial sex workers continue to be the high risk group. District Collector B Chandramohan said all applicants seeking a driving licence would be provided counselling at the RTO offices and the one-year project would become operational within two weeks. Also, those coming for renewal would be the target group, he added. Stating that the TANSACS was providing Rs ten lakh for the pilot project, he said the remaining Rs three lakh would be borne by the AIDS prevention and control organisation. The target was to screen and offer counselling to 50,000 drivers annually, he added. Explaining further, he said no testing would be made at the RTO offices. According to Mr Deenabandhu, there were 4.5 lakh HIV/AIDS cases in the state. Sexual transmission was the cause for 95 per cent of the victims while transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy was negligible. Similar was the case with transmission through infected needles. Mr Chandramohan said the Madurai Health Foundation, also launched today, was a society created by the State Government to offer more responsive treatment and enhance infrastructure through a flexible approach. The society, an autonomous body, would generate resources for health care and the corpus for it. The District Collector would be its president and the dean of the Government Rajaji hospital, its member-secretary. Besides MPs and MLAs, Philanthropists would be roped in as members. (UNI) |
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