The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AGRICULTURE

PAU to study water management
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 9
The PAU is exploring opportunities to do a research on water management in collaboration with the University of Wolverhampton, UK. The Vice- Chancellor, PAU, Dr K.S. Aulakh, after meeting with Prof Neil Malcolm, Director, International Relations, University of Wolverhampton, here today, said both universities would hold meetings to reap mutual benefits.

He said efficient water management was the first priority and the research in this area needed intensification. To explore further possibilities, the Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr H.S. Sekhon, would coordinate the next meeting in which experts in the area of soil and water engineering and soil science would participate. The University of Wolverhampton would be represented by Ms Kalminder Kaur, Water Management Expert.

EDUCATION

Polytechnic students display talent
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 9
Students of the Guru Nanak Polytechnic for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, organised a four-day exhibition which was inaugurated by Ms Bubbly Sandhu, wife of the Deputy Commissioner, here today.

The students of textile designing, dress designing, fashion designing, cutting and stitching, interior decoration, home decoration and cosmetology courses have displayed their works in the exhibition.

The exhibition has been divided into seven sections, namely play way, party hall, shilp kala, garden, Chinese room, kitchen, living room and sleeping beauty.

COURTS

Refund amount, PSEB told
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 9
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum in a judgement last week quashed a demand of Rs 26,034 of the PSEB from M/s Keeper Knitware. The forum also directed the PSEB to refund the amount deposited by the complainant along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent from the date of deposit till the actual payment.

According to the complainant, a notice was given to him by the board stating that the running load was 17.248Kw against the sanctioned load of 18.130Kw. The complainant stated that the board had demanded Rs 26,034 in the notice. He approached the board officials to make the investigation regarding the disputed amount. Instead of any investigation he was asked to deposit 40 per cent of the total amount and Rs 10,414 had been deposited. Subsequently, the matter was referred to the Disputes Settlement Committee. The committee told him to pay the balance amount of Rs 17,124.

The complainant maintained that as per earlier letter dated October 5, 1999, the meter was sticky but the MT seals were intact. But later on the report was given that on May 26, 2000, that all seals and clamps were fake. The complainant pointed out that board officials had given different versions. It was alleged that the disputed demand was illegally raised.

The respondent pleaded that the meter was duly packed and sealed and proper seals were affixed. The consumer had put his signature on it. The board stated that the complainant was informed to attend the checking proceedings.

The board disclosed that according to the M.E. Laboratory report, the seals were fake and the clamp was tempered with in order to steal the power. The board stated that it was a case of theft of power.

The forum observed that there was no evidence that a notice was given to the consumer to be present at the time of checking of the meter or the checking was done in his presence. The forum further stated that there was also no evidence that the meter was properly sealed and packed after it was removed. The forum held that the disputed demand was liable to be quashed as the checking of the meter was not done as per the rules of the department.

CULTURE

Dance and painting contests held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 9
Pankhudi, a social organisation, held a dance and painting contest for children at Municipal Park of Model Town (Extension) recently.

The contests were open for children of different age groups from different schools. Nearly 30 students participated in the dance contest. In the pre-nursery to class II category, Mansi stood first, followed by Ramneet and Harsh. In the classes III to V category, Ashpreet, Armeet and Kirandeep were declared first, second and third, respectively. In third category with students from Class VI to X, Naini, Sippy and Simran stood first, Avneet was declared second and third prize was won by Gurleen.

Nearly 50 students participated in the painting contest for which three groups were formed. Harjeet, Bhavneet and Ashnoor got the first, second and third prizes, respectively, in the pre-nursery to class II category. In the class III to V category, Harjot, Avneet and Nikita stood first, second and third, respectively. Arshpreet, Naini and Ashleen of classes VI to X were declared first, second and third, respectively.