AGRICULTURE

VC cautions farmers against spurious seeds
K.S. Chawla

Ludhiana, May 14
The Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Dr K.S. Aulakh, has cautioned cotton growers in Punjab that at present no Bt. cotton is approved for Punjab and farmers should not be misled by the propaganda of unscrupulous seed traders who may sell spurious seed under the name of Bt. cotton.

Dr Aulakh said here today that Punjab Agricultural University had always favoured the introduction of Bt. cotton in Punjab provided it was brought in the form of varieties and hybrids which as such were adaptable to agroclimatic conditions and were resistant to cotton leaf curl virus. PAU has finalised a concrete schedule to revive the economic cultivation of cotton in Punjab through early sowing of only recommended varieties and by resorting to judicious use of pesticides.

The Vice- Chancellor who held two meetings with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to ensure adequate water for cotton sowing during April and due to certain circumstances water could be released only after April 20, has advised the farmers not to sow cotton after mid-May because the late-sown crop leads to low yields, more use of pesticides and ultimately high cost of cultivation. The university had recommended sowing of cotton by the end of April.

Enquiries show that the Monsanto (P) Ltd in collaboration with Mahyco company tested three Bt. based hybrids — Mech 184, Mech 162 and Mech 12 — in India. ICAR tested these hybrids in the south and central zone in 2001 when Mech 162, Mech 184 and Mech 915 were also tested by DBT at five places in Punjab. On the basis of their performance and other advantages of Bt. technology Mech 12 was released in south zone and Mech 162 and Mech 184 in both central and south zones. On the basis of observations from DBT trial in 2001 in Punjab, PAU submitted its report that these hybrids being susceptible to CLCV (Cotton Leaf Curl Virus) could not be suitable for Punjab.

Dr Darshan Singh, Additional Director Research, and Dr G.S. Chahal, Head, Department of Plant Breeding, say, ICAR decided to conduct, three trials with Mech 12 and Mech 915 at Ludhiana, Faridkot and Abohar during 2002 crop season. These hybrids had been found to be unsuitable for cultivation in Punjab though the benefits of Bt technology were quite obvious. None of these Bt hybrids has been recommended for cultivation in Punjab so far.

ICAR has now planned to evaluate eight new Bt cotton hybrids — Ankur 651, Ankur 2534, RCH 134, RCH 138, RCH 317, MRC 6301 and MRC 6304 this year at Ludhiana and Faridkot in Punjab, Hissar in Haryana and Sriganganagar in Rajasthan.

64 participate in Scouts camp
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 14
A three-day camp for Scouts from Government Model Senior Secondary School, Dholewal Chowk, concluded here today. Of the total 64 participants, 32 were from Classes VI and VII who entered the first phase termed as ‘‘Pravesh’’. Nearly 16 students from Classes VIII and IX made way into the second phase called ‘‘Dvitya Sopan’’ and the same number of students from Class X stepped into the third part called ‘‘Tritya Sopan’’.

Ms Amarjit Kaur, captain, trained the students in making knots and latching up tents. She talked about ‘‘niyam’’ and ‘‘pratigya’’ and made the students learn the flag song. Mr Avtar Singh , science master, also interacted with the scouts and told them that the tradition began from Bhai Ghanaiya’s time and was being continued with devotion in all schools.

He talked about hikers and the problems faced by them in their pursuit. But he told them that every journey began with a single step and that they had taken a right direction. He urged them to get involved in social services as well and make it a point to do at least one noble job a day.

Mr Surinder Paul Gaur, officiating Principal and group leader, was present on the concluding function. He said a hiking trip would be arranged to Tara Devi next month.

Hindi poetry recitation contest held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 14
The staff of Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Model Town Extension, organised a Hindi poetry recitation contest for nursery and primary section students here today. Nearly 18 students participated in the first category with children from Lower Kindergarten. Sukhjeet Singh of LKG stood first, Arshdeep Singh of the same class was declared second and Harjot Singh, again of the same class, third. Prabhleen Kaur won the consolation prize.

As many as 23 students participated in the second category with students from Classes UKG and I.

Kiranpreet Kaur of UKG stood first, Kiranjot Kaur of Class I second and Divjot Singh of Class I third. The consolation prize went to Trishmeet Kaur of Class I.

In the third group with students from Classes II, III and IV, 20 students participated . Manjot Kaur of Class IV was declared first, Rahul Kumar of Class III second and Sandeep Kaur of Class IV third. The consolation prize went to Amanpreet Kaur of Class III.

Ms Manjit Kaur, Principal, Ms Bhupinder Kaur and Ms Anita Wadhera, both teachers, declared the results. Ms Gurinderjeet Kaur compered the contest and Ms Manjit Kaur gave away the prizes to the winners. She urged students to participate in large numbers.

Jain institute gets A-level accreditation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 14
The DD Jain Institute of Computer Sciences, Kidwai Nagar, has been awarded A-level accreditation by the DOEACC Society, an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Information Technology and Communications. This makes the institute the only computer institute here which is entitled to conduct DOEACC CCC, O and A level tests. The institute Director, Mr Naresh Puri said the screening committee of the DOEACC conducted the inspection in April.

Mr Puri said that it was a good opportunity for the Ludhiana students, since after the USA, now Japan has opened its doors for DOEACC and CAIT (Central Academy of Information Technology) ‘A’ level qualifiers. Students clearning ‘A’ level are not required to produce evidence of work experience to obtain visa for Japan. They can also qualify for jobs in Japanese multi-national companies across Asia and other parts of the world, he said.

UGC accords A grade to college
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 14
The GHG Harparkash College of Education for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, has been accredited with Grade-A (institutional score between 85-90 per cent). The college Principal, Dr Rajwant Kaur, said a UGC team had visited their college recently for the assessment and getting Grade-A was a matter of pride for the institution.

“The credit goes to the leadership of Dilbara Singh, whose administrative qualities have brought laurels to the college,” she added.

Children undergo dental check-up
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 14
A dental check-up camp was organised at Hollyhock Nursery School, Civil Lines, here today. Dr Gagan Dogra, a dental specialist, did the oral check up. He emphasised upon the children on the need to have a white sparkling set of teeth. All children interacted comfortably and were already aware of the need to brush the teeth twice for proper hygiene. Dr Dogra told the kids to restrict taking sweets, chocolates, bubble gums, ice-creams and Chinese food etc.

Ms Amrita Garewal, Principal, said the camp was arranged for the routine dental check up of the children. She presented little toothbrushes to all of them.

PCTE student tops MBA exam
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 14
Abha Bajaj, an MBA student of the Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE), has bagged the first position in the Punjab Technical University MBA (first semester) examination held this year.

Abha has scored 704 marks out of 800. This is for the ninth time that a student from the PCTE has made it to the top. The college students have bagged first, third, sixth, eight and ninth positions in the university. Parminder Dhillon has obtained third position with 693 marks and Shweta Johar is sixth with 686 marks. Harpinder and Shelza, both secured 681 marks with eighth and ninth ranks in the university.

Man gets 3-years jail term in assault case
Our Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 14
The fast track court has convicted Gurmohan Singh (28) of Issru village Khanna, and sentenced him to undergo imprisonment for three years, on the charge of assaulting Karamjit Singh with a sword.

Declining the plea of leniency raised by the accused, Mr Sunil Arora, judge of fast track court, held that keeping in view the gravity of the offence, the accused was not entitled for any leniency.

An FIR was registered against the accused on the statement of Karamjit Singh at Sadar Police Station, Khanna, under Section 307 of the IPC, on November 21, 2000. However, after the trial the court observed that the charge under Section 307 could not be made out, but only the charge under Section 326 could be made out and sentenced him accordingly.

According to the prosecution, the complainant was sitting in front of his shop when the accused came there armed with a sword. He swore that he would teach a lesson to the complainant for taking forcible possession the land of a pond and then attacked him with the sword. In order to ward off the blow, the complainant raised his hand and the sword struck his right hand. As a result of this, the right finger of the complainant was nearly amputated.

When the injured tried to run away, the accused chased him, but in the meantime his friend Gurmit Singh reached there. He took the injured to Civil Hospital, Khanna, and thereafter the injured was referred to the CMCH at Ludhiana, as per prosecution.

Later on, the accused was arrested by the police and after investigation the challan was presented in the court. During the trial, the accused pleaded innocence and claimed false implication. He produced his sister as a witness to prove that there was enmity between him and the complainant. The sister of the accused produced a copy of complaint moved against the complainant and his family members with the police but stated that the police officials concerned had not taken any action. Rather her brother was falsely implicated in this case after a few days.

The defence examined one witness, Amandeep Singh, who stated in the court that the finger of complainant was cut in the fodder cutting machine in his presence. He also claimed that he had taken Malkiat Singh to the doctor. But after three days he came to know that the accused had been implicated in the case.

But after hearing the rival contentions of the parties, the court disbelieved the contentions raised by the defence and came to the conclusion that the accused was guilty and sentenced him accordingly.