The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AGRICULTURE

PAU plans camps for farmers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 12
To help the farmers to face the challenges posed by the World Trade Organisation treaty, Punjab Agricultural University has chalked out an ambitious plan of training the farmers in various aspects of agriculture.

As per the PAU plan nearly 20,000 farmers and 7,000 field workers will be given training in 2001-2002 in crop production, agricultural engineering, veterinary and animal husbandry, horticulture home science and seed production.

They would also be trained in subsidiary occupations like dairy farming, poultry farming, piggery, mushroom cultivation and bee-keeping. According to Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Director, Extension Education, PAU, said the training would be provided to farmers, farm women and farm youths by organising 906 training courses. The duration of these courses would range from one day to three months depending upon the nature of the course and need of the trainees.

EDUCATION

Students complain to VC
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 12
BCA students of Guru Nanak Girls’ College, Model Town, have sent a written complaint to the Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University (PTU) complaining about the in adequate infrastructure at the college.

In the complaint, the students have said despite being charged exorbitant fee, the college did not have qualified staff, nor are there proper classrooms. They said a majority of the teachers were underqualified and inexperienced, being without PhD, MCA, BE or B.Tech degrees in computer engineering. They said a few of them were BA with no postgraduation in computers while others were still students of MCA through distant education with IGNOU. They said the teachers were teaching them subjects which they were themselves still studying in their courses.

The students said they were being forced to take up private tuitions from computer training centres or college teachers themselves. They had complained that some underqualified teachers were forcing them to take private tuitions at their homes or the college itself so that they could help them in awarding good marks in practicals. The students have blamed Col H.S. Singha, Director of the computer section, for not appointing qualified staff and keeping the management in dark.

Besides, the students have complained that the computer sections of the PTU and Panjab University have not been separated. They said they were not being provided proper classrooms. They said that some of the rooms which have been converted into classrooms produced a foul smell.

The students have urged the VC to look into the matter and do the needful for the welfare of the students. The students have sent a similar complaint to the VC of Panjab University and Deans (Colleges) of PU as well as the PTU.

Colonel Singha, however, refuted all charges levelled by the students. He said none of the teachers was underqualified. He, however, agreed that a majority of the teachers did not have MCA degree and were postgraduate diploma holders. He said this was due to the non-availability of MCA staff for the posts.

Regarding improper class rooms, the director said the foul smell was due to some slaughter houses in the market adjacent to the college. He had complained to the administration regarding the problem.

SDM meets Arya College Principal
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 12
Following several representations to the Deputy Commissioner regarding controversy over the suspension of Mr V.K. Mehta, Principal, Arya College, the administration today started intervention in the matter.

Mr Kuldip Singh, SDM (East), invited the Principal and members of the two groups of the management, including Mr Harbans Lal Sethi and Mr Syal. The statement of all invited persons was taken separately by the SDM.

It is also learnt that members of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha and other members of the college managing committee have been called by the DC tomorrow and a meeting of the two opposing groups would be held so that the matter is resolved and academic atmosphere of the college is no more affected.

Meanwhile, Mr Sethi said the college would reopen tomorrow.

Two schools for child labourers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 12
Under a project of the Labour Department, two schools for child labourers would be inaugurated at Ambedkar Colony, Model Town, here tomorrow.

Stating this in a press note, Mr S.S. Bandi, project director of the Child Labour Rehabilitation and Welfare Society, said the schools would be run in association with the Dr Ambedkar Nagar Welfare Society. He said 50 students in the age group of eight to 14 years had already been given admission in these schools where two-hour evening classes would begin from tomorrow.

Mr Bandi said each student would be given Rs 125 as stipend every month, besides one free meal, free books, stationery and school bags.

COURTS

Transport firm fined for negligence
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 12
The District Consumer Forum has directed M/s North Eastern Carrying Corporation to pay Rs 37,789 as cost of goods to M/s Sanam Textiles, 713, Mali Ganj, Ludhiana. The forum has further directed the transport company to pay interest on account of negligence at the rate of 18 per cent per annum on the said amount from January 3, 2001, till actual payment.

According to the complaint, M/s Sanam Textiles had booked a consignment worth Rs 57,389 with M/s North Eastern Carrying Corporation on November 19, 1998, for M/s Mangaldeep, Main Road, Ranchi, Bihar. The complainant stated before the forum that M/s Managaldeep had failed to receive the documents and the receipt and hundi were returned to the complainant on July 14, 1999, by the bank. The concerned bank had also remarked on the letter sent along with the documents that payment was not forthcoming.

The consumer disclosed that on a visit to the Ranchi office of the transport company, it was found that the consignment was not with them and it was delivered by them to M/s Mangaldeep without presentation of original goods receipt. The complainant pleaded before the forum that the transport company was bound to pay the price of the goods since it had suffered lost due to the negligence.

The transport company pleaded that the consignment had been delivered to M/s Mangaldeep. It further stated that the complainant had never approached the respondent to get the delivery of goods. It pleaded before the forum that there was no deficiency and the complaint was liable to be quashed.

The forum observed that the complainant had received Rs 20,000 as part payment from the consignee, which had proved that the respondent had delivered the goods to the consignee without release of the documents. The forum stated that the respondent had acted against the terms and conditions of booking. As per the terms and conditions, the goods were to delivered only after the documents were released by the consignee, but the respondent delivered the goods without documents, the forum added.

The forum held that there was a clear negligence on the part of the transport company. It directed the respondent to pay Rs 37,389 to the complainant since the complainant had got Rs 20,000 as part payment of the goods.

Murder accused acquitted
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 12
Mr S.S. Arora, Sessions Judge, Ludhiana, has acquitted Gurmail Singh of Burj Hakima village from the charge of committing murder of Walaiti Singh of same village on April 13, 1998.

According to prosecution, Gurmail Singh had illicit relations with the wife of the victim and in order to clear his way, he eliminated Walaiti Singh.

An FIR was lodged against the accused on April 14, 1998, at the Raikot police station under Section 302 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Chand Singh, father of the victim.