Iranian delegation visits PAU
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 21
An eight-member delegation of dairy scientists and administrators from Iran visited Punjab Agricultural University ( PAU), here today and held discussions with Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of the university, and other senior scientists and officers of the university. The delegation was headed by Dr M.R. Sunjabi, Director, Iran Dairy Industries Company. 

At a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sunjabi said the delegation was on a visit to India to study the success story of dairy development in India. He informed that dairy in India and Iran had many similarities. 

Like in India, cow was the major milk producing animal in Iran but the dairy farms in Iran were bigger, having 50 to 5,000 animals. The entire milk processing was mechanised and machines were capable of processing 10,000-12,000 liters of milk per hour, Dr Sunjabi added.

Dr O.S. Parmar, Senior Cattle Breeder at the PAU, explained to the delegates about the animal breeding programme of the university and dairy industry in Punjab.

He informed that milk production levels in Punjab were very high and Punjab produced 10 per cent of the total milk produced in the country.

Dr G.S. Nanda, Director of Research, PAU, told the delegates that Punjab Agricultural University had close association with Iran. Many scientists from the university had visited Iran as experts and a large number of students from Iran come to the PAU for higher studies. Later the delegation visited the library, Department of Food Science and Technology, and university dairy farm. 

Students celebrate Gurpurb
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
Students and staff of several schools celebrated the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh with fervour here today.

At SKN Model High School, students decorated the building with flowers. Primary section students recited poems on the life of Guru Gobind Singh.

Addressing the students, the Headmistress, Ms Dulari Kaura, said that Guru Gobind Singh was a rare combination of a true yogi, a great poet, a saint and a soldier. Principal K.D. Arora advised the students to follow the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh. 

At Gupta Model High School, students and staff performed path of Sukhmani Sahib, following which the ragi jatha from Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib recited hymns. Langar was also served. Ms Simmi Gupta, Principal, told the students about life and achievements of Guru Gobind Singh. 

Consumer forum quashes PSEB’s demand
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 21
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has quashed a demand of the PSEB of Rs 84,876 from Mr Om Parkash, a resident of Shiv Puri. It has directed the board to refund the excess amount deposited by the consumer along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum.

According to the complainant, the meter installed at his residence was inspected and it was found by officials that there was an excess load of 4.310 KW. The representative of the complainant, Mr S.S. Sarna, stated before the forum that on the basis of the inspection a demand of Rs 12,965 was raised by the board on July 5, 2000.

Mr Sarna disclosed that the consumer had to deposit the amount under threat of disconnection of electricity. After that the meter was again inspected by the Flying Squad of the board on August 6, 2000, and the running load was found 9.632 KW instead of 13.170 KW. He said the consumer was told that earlier load was wrongly assessed. The load was checked again on November 7, 2000, and it was found 12.06 KW. Moreover, at the time of third inspection the meter was removed and sent to M.E. Laboratory.

Mr Sarna pointed out that there was clear contradiction in the three reports. Moreover, during checking of the meter in the laboratory, the consumer was forced to sign the report.

He further pointed out that as per the third report, only two phases were working and in such case the matter had be referred to the Chief Electrical Inspector (CEI). But instead of referring the matter to the CEI, the account of the consumer was rechecked. A demand of Rs 84,876 was raised by the board on January 11, 2000, due to slow running of the meter by 33 per cent from July 7, 1996, to September 22, 2000. It was stated that the board had no powers to recheck the account. It was further stated that the consumer was forced to deposit the amount in 12 instalments. The first instalment was paid on January 18, 2001.

The board pleaded that the meter was checked on November 7, 2000, and seals were found tampered with. The respondent stated that further checking of the meter revealed that disc rotated on two phase only and not on third phase. Therefore, after sealing it in the presence of the consumer, the meter was sent to the laboratory for computerised checking on November 15, 2000.

The respondent disclosed that the meter was checked in the presence of the consumer and investigations revealed that all seals and a clamp were missing and the potential coil of read phase was removed. According to the report, the meter was recording less consumption of energy by 33 per cent.

The respondent stated that it was a case of theft so the account of the consumer was rechecked and the demand raised.

The forum stated: “As per rules, the rechecking of the consumer’s account from the date of installation can only be done in those case where it was found that counter gear, pressure coil or current coil are changed. But in the present case there is no report that any of these were changed”.

‘Prof Money Plant’ grows in popularity
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, January 21
“Prof Money Plant”, a serial by the ‘comedy king’ of Punjab, Jaspal Bhatti, has scaled new heights in popularity and become the funniest programme on the Punjabi television. The rib-tickling comedy highlights rampant corruption in the education system is telecast every Tuesday at 8 pm and every Sunday at 11 am.

In the programme Jaspal Bhatti enacts the role of a college principal who has risen to position by adopting dubious means. He is not qualified for the post and has bought fake degrees to get the job.

In every episode there is a situation where he has to curb the nefarious activities of “Prof Money Plant” — one of the lecturers of the college who fails every students who does not take tuition from him. The college management and parents of the students want the principal to take some steps against the corrupt practices of the professor and this leads to hilarious situations.

Produced by Savita Bhatti, the programme has been directed by Jaspal Bhatti himself and has a star-cast from the Punjabi film and television industry.

Telecast every Friday at 4.40 pm, “Patake Tha” is another comedy that has been appreciated by viewers of Alpha Punjabi. This sitcom consists of small skits based on day-to-day social problems and evils that exist in our society.

Directed by Ravi Nishand and having a popular star-cast of Vivek Shauq (famous Bollywood character-actor), Kuldeep Sharma, Gopi Bhalla and Rana Jang Bahadur, the programme has skits of 3-4 minutes duration providing satirical comments on the problems and shortcomings of our society.

All skits are shot on different locations and sets giving it a fresh look in every episode.

The story of the programme is given by Rajesh and Babla has rendered the music.