Congress salvo at IIM fee slash

New Delhi: Murli Manohar Joshi’s move to slash fees at the Indian institutes of management has become part of the Congress’ poll agenda, reports our special correspondent.

Breaking its silence on the human resource development ministry’s controversial decision, the Congress on Wednesday fired its first salvo, accusing the minister of pursuing an ulterior motive in the guise of making professional education in these reputed institutions cheaper.

Joshi is trying to realise his hidden agenda of securing a stranglehold over the IIMs at the cost of ruining their international reputation as centres of excellence, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said.

Singhvi criticised the move to increase subsidy and reduce fees at the IIMs. Whereas the subsidy money should have been used to promote primary education, Joshi was subsidising higher education, he said. This was against expert recommendations, according to which institutions of higher education should raise their own resources to eventually become financially self-reliant, he added.

Singhvi disagreed with the view that the fee slash would make education in these institutions affordable for students from lower-income groups. Banks were ready to finance studies in IIMs, he said. The spokesman asked if the government knew of any instance in which a student had not taken up admission offer or not completed studies in IIMs because of the high fees.

Bollywood concert in Pak off

Mumbai: The first big Bollywood concert in Pakistan, which was to take place on Thursday, was postponed at the last moment due to a “technical hitch”, leaving the artistes stunned, reports our correspondent.

Actors Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty and singers Shaan, Babul Supriyo and Sunidhi Chauhan were scheduled to leave Mumbai today for Lahore, but were informed at the last moment that the concert has been called off. There were about 70 people in the team. The proceeds from the concert would go to the underprivileged.

Amidst speculation that it could be for security reasons, the organisers in Mumbai stressed that it was only postponed and would take place in a week’s time or in March.

“We got the contract from a Delhi-based company called Entertainment Works to get in touch with the artistes in Mumbai. The company today informed us that it has been postponed, but did not give any reason other than that of a ‘technical hitch’,” said Bunty Walia of G.S. Entertainment.

“We have not been informed why the concert was called off,” said Shaan. Supriyo said he also didn’t know.

Seth in British Museum trust

London (PTI): Writer Vikram Seth has been appointed as a trustee of the British Museum.

The appointment, made by Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday, will be for a period of four years with immediate effect.

Jaundice outbreak

Baripada (PTI): At least 61 people have been infected in an outbreak of jaundice here during the last three days, official sources said. Five of them were admitted to the district headquarter hospital while another was shifted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, the sources said. Although health authorities have found the drinking water to be safe, they have advised people to boil it.

Cops in robbery net

Mumbai (PTI): Three Mumbai policemen have been arrested for allegedly looting Rs 2 lakh from a scrap dealer in Andheri. The policemen — identified as constable Mohan Pawar and head constables Vasant Patil and Subhash Matkar — were arrested on charges of looting Jayantilal Chouhan on Saturday, a police officer said. They have been remanded in police custody till February 16.

Naxalite surrender

Guntur (PTI): As many as 86 sympathisers of the People’s War Group surrendered in Guntur district on Wednesday, police said. The sympathisers, however, were not wanted in any Naxalite-related incident, the police added.

Bonded labourers

Moga (PTI): A warrant officer of Punjab and Haryana High Court found 47 workers, allegedly held as bonded labourers, including women and children, during a raid on a brick kiln at Baghapurana in the district on Tuesday. The raid followed directives of the court on a petition filed by two labourers. The kiln owner, however, said he was providing ration to all the families as the kiln was closed due to bad weather.

Dogs on runway

Mumbai (PTI): The Airports Authority of India has moved Bombay High Court seeking permission to shoot stray dogs intruding the runways. The petition referred to the delay caused to the special aircraft of the President because of a dog strolling on the runway.

A seven-day industrial trade fair involving 280 manufacturers from across the country and abroad will open in Coimbatore on February 18. An industrial robot, made by a Bangalore-based company, will perform all activities related to manufacturing.