AGRICULTURE

‘Provide farmers with latest technology’
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 7
Farmers should provided with latest agro-machines and new technologies to face the challenges of the WTO and to counter the competition posed by multinational companies. This was stated by Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Director, Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University, who appealed to the extension scientists of the university to take the latest agricultural technology to the farmers.

He was addressing the monthly review meeting of the Directorate of Extension Education here today. Dr Kolar stressed the need to educate the farmers regarding the recommended varieties of different field crops, vegetables and fruits and plant protection measures.

He said this was necessary to counter the threat from multinational companies. “To achieve their goal, these companies will not hesitate to sacrifice the interests of the farmers,” emphasised Dr Kolar. He expressed satisfaction over the impact of the university’s educational campaign regarding timely transplantation of paddy. He hoped that the farmers would follow the advice in the coming years.

Dr Amrik Singh Sidhu, Professor and Head, Department of Horticulture, said the farmers of many districts, including Ferozepur, Fazilka and Faridkot, were showing keen interest in planting guava, peach, plum and pear, thereby diversifying agriculture. He said the farmers of Kandi area were also showing interest in planting orchards.

The district extension specialists said due to late harvesting of wheat and shortage of canal water, the sowing of cotton had been delayed, but the area under sugarcane had increased tremendously. The veterinary experts advised the extension scientists to stress upon the timely and appropriate vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease by maintaining proper cold chain.

EDUCATION

Warm farewell to Tambar
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 7
Dr Ranjit Singh Tambar, a former Dean, College of Agriculture (COA), Punjab Agricultural University, was given a warm farewell by students and faculty members of COA here today.

Dr Tambar retired from service on May 31. He had served as Head, Extension Education Department, Joint Director, Communication Centre, and Additional Director, Extension Education. Presently he is working as a co-ordinator in a research project funded by the European Union.

Speaking on the occasion Dr M.S. Tiwana, who took over as new Dean, COA, on June 1, described Dr Tambar as a good writer, an excellent extension worker and an able administrator. Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Director of Extension Education, said Dr Ranjit Singh had made significant contributions in the field of extension education and had done a commendable job for the farmers of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tambar said he owed all the achievements credited to him to the environment and facilities at PAU. He was presented a memento on behalf of the faculty of Extension Education. 

COURTS

Murder accused gets 10-year imprisonment
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 7
The Sessions Judge, Mr S.S. Arora today convicted Jasbir Singh of village Poonian and sentenced him to undergo 10-year imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2000 for murdering Harmanjit Singh (22) of the same village.

However, the court acquitted seven other co-accused, namely Nirmal Singh, Ranjit Singh, Swaran Singh, Charan Singh, Rajinder Singh, Karamjit Singh and Rai Singh, as charges against them were not proved.

According to prosecution all the accused allegedly belonged to one Ajmer Singh’s group who had earlier teased the cousin of Harmanjit Singh, following which, his moustache was cut by Harmanjit and his friends. He nursed a grudge over this incident, which resulted into the occurrence.

An FIR was lodged on August 18, 1998 in Samrala police station, on the statement of Machinder Singh, where he told that he, along with his brother Malkit Singh, nephew Joga Singh and others were returning after seeing a fair in village Takhran.

When they reached the electric motor kiosk of Ajmer Singh of village Poonian, all the armed accused allegedly gheraoed Harmanjit and Jagtar Singh.

“We stopped the tractor and tried to intervene, to save Harmanjit and Jagtar. But the accused Jasbir Singh gave a blow to Harmanjit. Thereafter, all the other accused attacked him. As people started collecting there, the assailants fled from the spot. Later, Harmanjit Singh died on way to the hospital due to multiple injuries.

ADMINISTRATION

Flood control measures
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, June 7
A flood control room, with telephone number 30220 has been set up at the SDM’s office, Fatehgarh Sahib. The FCR will function round-the-clock from June 15. This was stated by Mr Vikas Partap, Deputy Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib, while addressing a meeting of officers regarding flood prevention during the rainy season.

Flood control centres have been set up at the subdivision level also.

The Deputy Commissioner has directed the SDMs to check the equipment required like boats, tents, OP engines, life-jackets and submit the certificate of their serviceability. He directed BDPOs, tehsildars and EOs to keep the list of evacuation centres ready. He also directed the Chief Medical Officer to prepare mobile teams of doctors and set up control rooms. He directed EO, Mandi Gobindgarh to arrange for fogging machines.

He said that 50,000 vaccine injections had been supplied for animals in villages and one lakh more would be supplied within a few days. Chief Agriculture Officer was asked to make fodder arrangements.

Mr Vikas Partap directed officers of the Public Health Department to arrange for proper chlorination of water during the rainy season.