AGRICULTURE

Panel members visit KVK
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 26
The high-power committee constituted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to suggest ways and means for streamlining the functioning of Krishi Vigyan Kendras has completed its two-day tour to the city and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).

Under the chairmanship of Acharya Rammurti, president, Shram Bharti, Khadigram, Jamui Bihar, the committee took an account of the problems faced by the farmers of the state. The committee held discussions with the officials of KVK as well as PAU. The members of the committee held discussions with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, Director Extension Education, Dr J.S. Kolar, and other senior officials of PAU.

The main objective of the committee was to suggest the thrust areas and action plans for streamlining the functioning of KVKs in different agro-eco systems of the country, including arid, irrigated, coastal, hills and mountains, and to suggest the cross-cutting areas for technology assessment, refinement and dissemination.

The committee would submit its report of the two day tour to the Ministry of Agriculture. The committee was constituted on the direction of Mr Nitish Kumar, Minister for Agriculture.

The committee members appreciated the role played by the KVKs in Punjab.

EDUCATION

Gold medal for Dr Kolar
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 26
Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Director of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University, has been honoured by the Indian Society of Weed Science with a gold medal for 2000-2001 for his contributions in the field of weed science. Thirteen recommendations based on his research have been included in the package of practices for farmers.

The medal was presented to him recently at Bangalore for his research contributions, including crop-weed competition studies in field crops, eco-physiological studies on new emerging weed species in paddy, development of agro-techniques in smothering weeds and developing effective and economical weed management measures in wheat, rice, pulses and oilseeds.

His other important studies include effect of different herbicides on the soil rhizospher flora and legume rhizobium association enhancing productivity of rice-wheat system through green manuringand phosphorus management of soya bean and brassicas.

The herbicide testing and weed management through herbicides programmes devised by Dr Kolar has not only helped in sustaining the productivity and margin of profit by the farmers, but his contributions have also been instrumental in building up confidence among farmers for investing more and more to yield better results.

Timely warning signals on the emergence of new weeds and development of resistance in weeds to herbicides in wheat and paddy has been another major contribution of Dr Kolar in keeping the new weeds under check.

`Dr Kolar was also awarded the Punjab Sarkar Parman Patra. The Punjab Rural Education Promotion Council also recognised his contributions as Outstanding Extension Educator. He was also awarded senior travelling fellowship in 1988 for studying the technology transfer mechanism in the U.K. 

Admission dates for PSEB schools revised
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 26
Dates for the submission of registration-cum-admission forms at the schools affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) were revised following a meeting of the principals of the schools here today.

As per the decisions taken by the principals, the registration forms would be available till July 30 for Rs 30. Those submitting the form after the due date would have to pay Rs 10 as late fee till August 10. Students taking admission till August 20 would have to pay Rs 25. An additional fee of Rs 10 per day would have to be paid by the students seeking admission till October 1. Besides, the late fee for Anulag-B form has also been slashed from Rs 8,000 to Rs 5,000.

Mr Rajinder Sharma, president, association of schools affiliated with the PSEB, Mr Baldev Singh, in charge, Middle Cell, PSEB were present at the meeting. Another meeting of the association would be held on June 8.