BAHAWALPUR, June 3: The centres for holding 2006 intermediate examination in at least three southern Punjab districts are devoid of proper facilities for the candidates which may affect their performance.

The BISE part one and two examination commenced from May 25, and about 55,000 male and female candidates were appearing in it at about 186 centres set up in the three districts of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan.

Reports said these candidates were taking the examination in harsh weather conditions without required number of ceiling fans, proper sitting arrangement and even without cold water at most of the centre.

In the extreme weather conditions particular to the region, without proper arrangements the candidates are finding it hard to exercise their full capability to solve their papers, parents of some of the candidates complained.

Due to the suffocating environment at these centres many candidates, especially girls had reportedly fainted while solving their papers.

The parents harshly criticised the BISE for assigning centres to candidates without ensuring proper facilities for them. They deplored that despite charging high examination fee, the BISE had miserably failed to provide proper facilities to the candidates.

They demanded that Punjab chief minister and education high-ups should take notice of the candidates’ ordeal in the three districts and order strict action against those responsible for it.

SUSPENDED: DPO Arif Nawaz has suspended an ASI, Amanat Ali, of Yazman police station for allegedly harassing a couple (Shehbaz and Asia) who contracted love marriage recently.