13082024-CT-01.qxd 8/13/2024 12:11 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune COMMUTERS EDGY AS THEY CROSS BATTERED BRIDGE STONE OF SHOOTING RANGE, ENGG INSTITUTE LAID DAUGHTER’S MARRIAGE NOT ‘ILLEGAL’: SHATRUGHAN Baltana bridge damaged in Sunday downpour as swollen Sukhna choe made its way over it in full fury. P2 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini lays foundation stones of two projects in Sector 32, P’kula. P2 Speaking about his actress-daughter Sonakshi’s wedding with Zaheer, Shatrughan said it is not “illegal”. P4 » » PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 33.8°C | MIN 23.8°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7.05 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5.49 AM » TUESDAY | 13 AUGUST 2024 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Panjab varsity slide unabated, down 16 rungs in NIRF PGI in pink of health, keeps 2nd spot for 7th year in row Third consecutive drop in position, placed overall 60th Akashdeep Virk INBRIEF MAN BOOKED FOR ~96K JOB FRAUD Chandigarh: A Mauli Jagran resident has been booked for cheating. Complainant Shanawaj alleged that Sohan Singh cheated him out of Rs 96,600 on the pretext of providing him a job. TNS MAN FOUND DEAD IN FIELDS Dera Bassi: The body of an unidentified middle-aged man was found in the fields of Khijargarh village near here. The deceased, around 45 years of age, appeared to be of Nepal origin. He has a red thread around his neck. No suicide note was found on him. TNS WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH Art Exhibition: Colours of Freedom: Artists’ workshop; Underpass connecting Sector 17 and Rose Garden Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 12 After witnessing minor slips for two consecutive years in the past, Panjab University (PU) recorded a fall of 16 ranks in the ‘overall’ category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2024 released by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) today. After attaining 41st overall rank with 51.23 points in 2022, and 44th with 53.31 score last year, the university dropped to 60th position with a score of 52.99 in the latest rankings. The rankings have been issued on parameters— Teaching, learning and resources (TLR), Research and professional practices (RPC), Graduation outcomes (GO), Outreach and inclusivity (OI) and Perception. The university scored 54.31 in TLR, 42.01 in RPC, 74.07 in GO, 63.38 in OI and 29.55 in Perception to witness a steep drop in the overall rankings, for the third consecutive time. Last year, the university recorded 51.09, 46.65, 75.77, 59.92 and 28.52 score, respectively, in these parameters. “The university could not perform well on RPC and GO parameters because of lack of Deepankar Sharda Tribune News Service OVERALL PERFORMANCE YEAR 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 RANK 60 44 41 38 44 34 SCORE 52.99 53.31 51.23 50.31 50.24 51.25 enough faculty members, which is directly affecting the research prospects. “The private institutions are doing bet- AMONG UNIVERSITIES YEAR 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 RANK 38 25 25 23 26 21 SCORE 55.11 54.86 52.80 51.59 51.85 51.25 ter in terms of hiring faculty members. The PU has not been able to hire regular faculty for many years. This is APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 29 and 56, and Dhanas Mohali: Sector 71 Panchkula: Sector 15 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com 3 cyber fraudsters held from R’sthan Chandigarh, August 12 The UT police have arrested three fraudsters for duping a city resident of over Rs 3 crore on the pretext of investment in stocks. The suspects have been identified as Mahesh Jangid (24), Vishal Gaur (25) and Hemant Parjapati (26), all residents of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Complainant Surinder Kumar Thakur, a Sector 49 resident, had reported that he had joined a WhatsApp group. The accused induced the complainant to invest in continued on page 2 and are ranked 5th among state universities. We need to improve faculty strength. — Dr Renu Vig, VICE-CHANCELLOR, PU ❞ directly affecting the research domain. Moreover, the university has suffered on the GO continued on page 2 IISER IMPROVES PERFORMANCE Tribune News Service Exhibition: Cotton Fab Rakhi Special Edition with fabric, jewellery, readymade and more; Kisan Bhawan, Sector 35; On till August 15 ❝Weofhave improved our scores various parameters At 32, Chandigarh University fares better Deepankar Sharda Art Exhibition: The Real Van Gogh Immersive Experience; Nexus Elante; On till August-end; Entry with tickets NEED MORE FACULTY: VC Chandigarh, August 12 Considering the latest National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2024, the private universities situated in the periphery of the City Beautiful are turning out to be the tough competitors for Panjab University (PU). While the PU slipped to 60th overall rank in the NIRF rankings this year, Chandigarh University (CU), Gharuan, jumped to attain the 32nd spot with a score of 58.30 points, 5.31 points better than MP and CU Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu addresses media. VICKY the PU. In the 2023 NIRF rankings, the CU was trailing the PU by one rank and was placed 45th with 53.31 points. In the ‘university’ category, continued on page 2 The Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Mohali, also featured among the top-100 institutions. Last year, IISER was ranked 50th under ‘research’ category, while this year it jumped to the 49th spot with a score of 44.09 points. The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, fell three ranks. It attained ninth rank with a score of 70.86 points, while last year it was placed sixth with 73.58 points. Chandigarh, August 12 For the seventh consecutive year, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) attained second rank in the medical category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2024 released today. While the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, claimed the top spot with an overall score of 94.46, the PGIMER followed with 80.83 points. In comparison to the last year, when the PGIMER had claimed the second spot with an overall score of 81.10, it fairly improved in two parameters, namely Teaching, learning and resources (TLR) and Outreach and inclusivity (OI). However, the institute dropped points in other parameters — Research and professional practices (RPC), Graduation outcomes (GO) and perception. The NIRF was initiated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2015 to assess institutions based on several key parameters. “Remarkably, the PGIMER has maintained its second position since 2018. This consistent achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the entire faculty and staff,” said Prof Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER. Decline in main parameters While the PGIMER managed to maintain the second position, the drop in overall score and parameters is a concern. Though the institute score dropped from 81.10 to 80.83 points, it managed to retain the overall second rank. The PGIMER recorded the second consecutive drop in the GO score. In 2022, it was 85.34, followed by 79.79 in 2023 and 78.76 this year. The HOW THE INSTITUTION FARED Parameter Teaching, learning and resources Research and professional practices Graduation outcomes Outreach and inclusivity Perception 2022 78.62 83.18 85.34 62.15 71.78 2023 88.53 83.15 79.79 64.97 71.42 2024 91.49 79.94 78.76 67.87 68.37 GMCH-32 DOWN THREE RANKS The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, witnessed a slip of three ranks in the overall category. The institute has been ranked 35th with 56.53 points this year. It scored 79.82 in teaching, learning and resources, 59.94 in outreach and inclusivity, 30.36 in Research and professional practices, 76.95 in graduation outcomes and 21.77 in perception. Last year, it had attained overall 32nd position with 55.34 points. In 2022, the institution was placed 27th with a score of 54.02. better outcomes of graduates are one of the main aspects of institution, as AIIMS recorded 98.44 this year. There is a consecutive drop in the Perception score. Last year, the PGIMER had obtained 71.42 in this parameter, which reflects its overall reputation among academic peers and employers, and this year, it dropped to 69.37. In 2022, the PGIMER performed better with 71.78. The AIIMS on other hand scored full points in both the years. Meanwhile, the score in TLR, which is determined by factors of student strength, faculty-student ratio, faculty with PhD, financial resources utilisation and online education, proved as a boost for the institution. The PGIMER scored 91.49 this year, in comparison to 88.53 (2023) and 78.62 (2022). The OI takes into account region diversity, women diversity, economically and socially challenged students and physically challenged students. However, the main parameter of RPC is something that the PGI authorities should address as it saw a major drop this time. From 83.18 (2022) and 83.15 (2023), it fell to 79.94 in the 2024 rankings. The parameter considers publications, citations, patents and research projects. Left with ~5 lakh in kitty, MC gets ~50-cr breather OPD services hit as PGI docs go on indefinite strike Sandeep Rana Chandigarh, August 12 Hundreds of patients were left in the lurch for the second time in a span of few days, as the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) today indefinitely suspended all elective services in support of the nationwide protest against the alleged rape and murder of a resident doctor in Kolkata. Recently, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the PGIMER Employees’ Union had carried out a ‘no-work’ protest against non-fulfilment of their demands. Around 1,500 resident doctors of the PGIMER participated in the protest today. The protesting doctors had carried out a candlelight march last evening and a protest march around the campus this morning. “We stand in solidarity with our colleague, who was murdered, and the authorities are tightlipped. We demand justice. It has become a trend to target doctors,” said a protesting doctor. A day after the Chief Justice of India (CJI) appreciated the medical practitioners at the PGIMER, the strike by resi- Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 12 The city Municipal Corporation, which was left with only Rs 5 lakh in fixed deposit (FD) a few days ago, has got a breather with the UT Administration releasing Rs 50 crore grant-in-aid (GIA) for the month of August. The cash-starved corporation has been asked to submit all pending utilisation certificates (UCs) at the earliest for releasing of the next GIA for the ongoing fiscal. With this latest grant, the civic body could clear all pending bills of contractors and salaries of outsourced employees, which had got delayed. Recently, MC officials asked the accounts department to release pending dues of contractors and outsourced employees and were shocked to know that the civic body had only Rs 5 lakh left in its kitty. The monthly GIA goes into paying salaries and meeting committed liabilities. The MC’s per month expenditure is Rs 58 crore. Other than this, some unavoidable tenders like those related to monsoon preparedness, no UT Administration releases grant-in-aid for month of August new tender has been floated for the past two months. The MC, however, hopes things will be better from the next month as it will get full GIA for the remaining two quarters. At present, it has been getting grant on monthly-basis. The corporation was allocated Rs 560 crore under the Union Budget and had got Rs 147 crore from the UT Administration for the first quarter on monthly basis. Besides the GIA, the civic body generates funds from property tax, water bills, paid parking lots and other such resources, which are not enough to meet its own expenses. The Administration has long been pressing on the civic body to raise funds from its own resources, but little has improved. On the other hand, the MC has been requesting the Administration to transfer to it the Registration and Licensing Authority as well as give its due in road tax, but to no avail. Tribune News Service c m y b Medics hold march to protest against rape-murder of Kolkata doctor Resident doctors stage a demonstration at the PGIMER in Chandigarh on Monday. PRADEEP TEWARI NO NEW OPD REGISTRATION TODAY The patients’ misery is likely to continue on Tuesday as well, as the OPD registration will be allowed only for follow-up (old) patients from 8 am to 9:30 am. No new patient will be registered. The arrangements (for indoor patients) will be made by the departments dent doctors hassled patients. The first day of the week usually receives heavy rush of patients in the OPDs. Since the work was suspended, patients were at the receiving end. “My mother is having severe pain in her right ear and was referred here (PGI) for some tests. It’s been over four hours that I am waiting for my turn. I don’t think my concerned. The indoor admissions shall be restricted to Emergency cases. The timings at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, and Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, are also likely to be affected on Tuesday. mother will get proper treatment today,” said Amrinder, who reached here from Cheeka Mandi (near Patiala). “The doctors have the right to protest, but they should have considered the patients’ needs. We are helpless and have to approach private hospitals. My son is suffering from a chest disease,” said Chand Singh from Jammu. “We understand the gravity of the situation and the concerns raised by our residents. The incident in West Bengal is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by healthcare professionals. While we stand in solidarity with the nationwide movement, we are equally committed to ensuring that patient care remains our utmost priority,” said Prof Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER. He added, “We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in constant touch with representatives of resident doctors to address their concerns while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.” “We didn’t expect such a situation today. There are a large numbers of resident doctors who take care of patients on a regular basis. However, today, it was a complete chaos,” said a security guard deputed at the hospital. The Emergency services at the PGIMER were also hit. The treatment of many critical patients was delayed at the Advanced Trauma Centre. “We are trying our best to keep the situation normal, but the huge rush of patients is not easy to handle for a limited number of doctors,” said a senior doctor. To manage the impact of the strike, Prof Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, announced that the PGIMER had mobilised all available resources to ensure medical services. “Emergency services, including operation theatre and ICU, will continue as usual with resident doctors in place to handle critical cases,” he said.