AGRICULTURE

Agri-technocrats’ rally on May 19
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 30
Agri- technocrats will organise a state-level rally at Fatehgarh Sahib on May 19 to protest against the state government’s ‘anti-employee and anti-farmer policies. The farmers will also participate in this rally, said Dr Charanjit Kainth here today.

While addressing agro-technocrats sitting in dharna in front of the office of the Chief Agriculture Officer, he said, “The state government has downgraded the status and salary of agri-technocrats. The government would not be allowed to work against their interests. The struggle would continue till their salary is equalised to the veterinarians’ salary.”

The agri-technocrats also boycotted the monthly meeting called by the Chief Agriculture Officer, Ludhiana. Mr Kainth asked the technocrats to put on black badges for a week to protest against the government’s policies and appealed to them to participate in a protest rally at Fatehgarh Sahib on May 19.

Among others Dr Ajit Singh Buttahari, Dr Rajinder Singh Aulakh, Dr Daler Singh, Dr Ajit Singh Garcha and Dr Laxman Singh Brar addressed the agri-technocrats.

CULTURE

Jassowal’s biography released
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 30
The English translation of the Punjabi biography of Jagdev Singh Jassowal, a renowned cultural activist, was released at a function organised by the Mohan Singh Foundation here today.

The book was released by the Deputy Commissioner of Hoshiarpur, Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu. The book has been authored by Ninder Ghgianvi and translated into English by Mr M.L. Sharma.

The book reflects the various aspects of Jassowal's life. According Mr Harbhajan Singh Batalvi, Jassowal "is a Jat farmer, an artist as well as a lover of arts and a politician."

Mr Sidhu lauded the versatile contribution of Jassowal to different fields of life. He pointed out that Jassowal had served society in many ways and arts was one of the highest forms.

Presiding over the function, the local MP, Mr Gurcharan Singh Ghalib, pointed out that it was difficult to find such a versatile personality like Jassowal whose contribution to arts and politics was phenomenal. Several leading litterateurs were also present on the occasion.

HEALTH

Hospital to be set up in Salana’s memory
Our Correspondent

Amloh, April 30
Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister of Punjab, said a 25-bed hospital would be built in the memory of veteran leader Sahib Singh Salana who died on April 17 at Salana village near here.

The minister announced this at the ‘bhog’ ceremony of the veteran leader at Salana village on Sunday. He announced this to a gathering comprising representatives of political parties, trade unions, employee unions and villagers. Sahib Singh Salana was in the Akali Dal before becoming a communist.

Mr Joginder Singh Toor, a Chandigarh advocate, talked about Salana’s life as a freedom fighter. Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, an MP, said a library would be set up at Salana village in the memory of the veteran leader.

Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, national chief of the Lok Bhalai Party and a former minister, said politicians should follow Salana’s example.

Mr Sukhdev Singh Libra, a Rajya Sabha member of the Sarab Hind Akali Dal, said he would use his discretionary fund to lay a road from Salana village to Ratton Pallon village.

The others who paid tributes to Salana included Mr Balwant Singh Shahpur, MLA of Amloh, Mr Dalip Singh Pandhi, a former Punjab minister, Mr Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, a former Punjab minister and member of the Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee. Condolence messages were received from Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, a member of the Lok Sabha, Mr Harkishan Singh Surjit, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Ms Parkash Kaur, sister of Bhagat Singh, besides many senior citizens’ and social bodies.