‘States need adjustment period’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 8
States which have surplus foodgrains should be given adjustment period to bring about diversification in cropping patterns. This view was expressed here by Dr G.S. Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University.

Dr Kalkat was asked to comment on the statement of the Union Finance Minister in his Budget speech in the Lok Sabha that the states should make arrangements for the procurement of foodgrains themselves. He told Ludhiana Tribune that it was not yet clear what would be the final arrangement with regard to the procurement of foodgrains and the PDS (public distribution system). However, left to the states which are surplus, they will find it difficult to procure all surpluses and market the same.

He pointed out that for the State of Punjab, total procurement of 9.5 million tonnes of wheat and 11 million tonnes of paddy were made last year.

Dr Kalkat emphasised that the state and the farmers need an adjustment period of at least five or seven years to diversify and adopt crops like oilseeds, maize, soybean, pulses, fodder for cattle and sizeable area under agro-forestry.

EDUCATION

Accept teachers’ demands: CM
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 8
The Chief Minister, Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has directed the Chief Secretary and other authorities to complete the necessary process soon regarding the implementation of the decision on the agreed demands of the Government Classical and Vernacular (C and V) Teachers Union, Punjab. These directions were given by the Chief Minister on the occasion, when a deputation led by Mr Harbhajan Singh Dhindsa met the CM.

COURTS

Forum quashes PSEB demand
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 8
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has quashed the demand of the Punjab State Electricity Board for a payment of Rs 30,787 from Mr Ved Prakash. The forum further directed the board to refund the amount deposited by the complainant with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the date of deposit till the date of refund.

According to the complainant, Mr Ved Parkash, a resident of Maya Nagar, he had been making regular payment of his electricity bills. The complainant stated that his power connection was running smoothly but the board officials changed the meter without his consent. The complainant alleged that the board official took the meter for checking without properly packing it. The complainant further alleged that neither he nor his son were informed about the checking. 

He said that he was issued a bill, mentioning therein that the sanctioned load of the connection was 23.600 kw whereas the working load was found to be 17.393 kw and the meter glass was found tampered with. So Mr Parkash should pay Rs 30,787. 

The complainant stated that he appeared before the Dispute Settlement Committee and told the members about the facts. But the members of the committee did not hear his request of quashing the demand. The complainant maintained that in order to avoid disconnection, he had to deposit one third of the said amount and later on he deposited the remaining amount. 

The board pleaded that the complainant had concealed the material facts and it was found during the checking of the meter that glass of the meter was tampered with and there were scratches on the digits of the meter. The board alleged that the complainant was controlling the consumption by tampering with the meter and stealing the energy.

The forum stated the checking report did not bear the signature either of the complainant or his representatives and there was no evidence that the complainant or his representative was present at the time of checking the meter. 

The forum stated, “As per the rules, it is the duty of the board to inform the consumer about the date of checking and the consumer should be present at the time of checking.” The forum held that as such it could not be said that the board raised the demand as per rules, thus, accordingly the disputed demand was liable to be quashed and the deposited amount be refunded.

SPORT

Weightlifting trials
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 8
Trials to select junior men’s and women’s weightlifting teams of Punjab will be held on March 13 in Ramgarhia College at Phagwara.

In a press note issued here today, Tara Singh, Arjuna Awardee and Honorary Secretary of the Punjab Weightlifting Association, said the selected lifters would participate in the Junior National Championship to be held from March 26 to 29 at Varanasi.