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| Thursday, August 9, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Master plan for diversification of
agriculture Ludhiana, August 8 Mr Kashyap said Rs 80 crore would be spent on green house project out of which Rs 62 crore would be spent on modern equipment. Sixty acres of land would be cultivated under this project. There would be a synthetic floor and plants be grown in pots. The bio-tech green house would be the first of its kind in the northern region. Mr N.S.Tiwana, Executive Director, Environment, Science and Technology, while addressing the meeting said a bio-tech park was also being set up in 200 acres of land at the cost of Rs 150 crore being aided by the World Bank, in which modern laboratories would be set up and land and offices would be given on lease to set up industries. “We are assessing the land in Ludhiana and if found suitable the project will be started here”, added Mr Tiwana. Mr S.K.Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, said under these projects, an open field cultivation and contract farming like industrial houses would be started. He said that Ladhowal land has been shown to the authorities and scientists for the above said projects. The state government has kept Rs 50 crore for the agriculture marketing and export promotion in the state. Besides, the government is spending Rs 15 crore for agriculture research to diversify the agriculture and the scientists of agricultural university are carrying the research. |
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Experts’ advice to
farmers Ludhiana, August 8 Dr Sinderjit Singh Gill, Head, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources most of the tree species including safeda, kikar, subabul, tahli, dek, neem and sagwan should be transplanted. The farmers have also been advised to fill the pits of 50 cm depth and diameter with 50 per cent top soil, 50 per cent farm yard manure, 10 to 15 gram Lindane and 20 EC dust. The seedlings should be planted in the centre of the pit after gently removing the polythene bag. Care should be taken that the earth ball and roots may not get damaged. The plants should be watered immediately. Dr Gill has also advised that all the kharif crops (except paddy) can be grown along with poplar during first three years of tree growth. In the plantations of more than three years old, kharif fodders such as maize, sorghum, bajra and guinea grass should be grown. The experts have also advised the farmers to prop up the sugarcane crop at the end of August by using trash twist method in order to prevent lodging. The experts have also cautioned against the iron deficiency in the ratoon and plant crop on light textured and calcareous soils. To correct this deficiency 1 per cent ferrous sulphate solution must be sprayed twice or thrice a week. The farmers have been suggested to collect and destroy the infected shoots affected with different borers particularly that of Gurdaspur borer at weekly interval regularly to prevent further infestation of healthy canes. In case of the incidence of pest attack of pyrilla, a spray prepared by adding 500 ml of thiodan, 35 EC or 225 ml of foliothion 50 EC in 100 litres of water should be sprayed. The white fly, which also affects this crop seriously, should be controlled by spraying 1 to 1.5 litres of malathion in 150 litres of water per acre. |
Knitting institute in need of principal, building Ludhiana, August 8 Established in 1923 in the erstwhile Shahdra district of Pakistan, as the special institute for preparing middle-level manpower for knitting and textile industry, the institute had been shifted to Ludhiana fort and later in a new building Rishi Nagar in March 2000. However, the institute is totally in a mess as far as its management, teaching level and morale of students and teachers is concerned. A visit to the institute revealed some interesting facts. Although the institute has 80 seats, including 40 seats for each trade of knitting and hosiery processing, a number of teaching and non-teaching posts are lying vacant for the past many years. The students complained that there was no hostel facility, though about 40 per cent of the 240 students are forced to live in the neighbourhood on rent by paying hefty amount or to commute daily even up to 100 km. Though the institute does not have adequate space for its regular students, it is running-number of community courses for about 450 students, sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development to improve its financial position. The courses, mostly of three to six months duration, are in fashion designing, hardware, computer applications, radio and TV repair and soft toys and pot painting. The students complained that they were not allowed to move freely on the campus, and there was no proper arrangement for practicals in the laboratories. The condition of public toilets is so pathetic that students are forced to use public place to answer the call of nature. The construction of the building has not been completed even after three years. The insiders pointed out that the institute had deteriorated over the past many years due to poor management and inadequate infrastructure. Mr D.S. Bilasi, officiating principal, admitted that though the government had spent about Rs 1.25 crore on building, Rs 73 lakh was further required to carry out remaining construction work. The government should also construct a hostel for at least for 30-40 students. He admitted that the institute needed additional space for laboratories, especially for the chemistry department. Mr Bilasi disclosed that to meet the demand for latest machines for training purposes, they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Knitwear Club and other organisations, who would provide the required machines in the next two-three months. The students, who did not wish to be quoted, said, “The principal of the institute behaves like a dictator, and fines up to Rs 500 for small mistakes.” The students had gone on a strike for a long time last year. Enquiries made with students revealed that they were forced to shell out Rs 1000 per annum as development charges without any facility in return. However, Mr Bilasi felt there was no genuine problem of students except lack of adequate space. The teachers pointed out that they were paid less salary as compared to polytechnic teachers in the state. Mr Amar Singh, Additional Director, Department of Technical Education, Chandigarh, said, “A proposal has been send to the government regarding the building and pay scales as recommended by the Fifth Pay Commission. A positive decision is expected soon.” However, he declined to make any comment about the vacant post of principal. |
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Students force closure of PAU gates Ludhiana,
August 8 The blockade at the university gates continued till late evening. The association said the closing of the gates was the beginning of their agitation against the government in pursuit of their demand for government jobs. The association had gone on strike last month also but after being assured by the Chief Minister on early fulfillment of their demand, they had called it off. Meanwhile, the closure of the gates caused a lot of inconvenience to employees of the university. |
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