The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AGRICULTURE

‘Sow only PAU recommended seeds’
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 8
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), in collaboration with a pesticide company, organised a ‘Sahayog Day’ at Kanganwal village here today to lay stress on producing good-quality wheat at a reduced cost of production.

Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of the PAU, inaugurated the Sahayog Day. To farmers gathered there, he said there was no need to worry about the challenges posed by the WTO. Rather, it was a golden chance to sell our produce in the international market. The VC urged farmers to bring about a second Green Revolution.

Dr G.S. Nanda, Director Research, advised farmers to sow only those varieties of seeds that were recommended by the PAU. He said, as per the recent surveys, PBW-343, a variety developed by the PAU was sown on more than 80 per cent of the area, which was a good sign.

Dr J.S. Kolar, Director Extension Education, told farmers to use optimum doses of fertilisers, as suggested by the PAU, to save extra expenditure.

The Chief Agricultural Officer of Ludhiana also advised farmer to get the soil and water samples tested in time, as it would the PAU prescribe the right dose.

Later, the VC honoured the most progressive farmer of the Sahayog Project. He also visited the farms of Jagjit Singh Hara. Dr Malwinder Singh Malhi, Project Coordinator of Sahayog, gave tips to farmers on producing a high yield of wheat.

EDUCATION

83 students receive prizes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 8
Students of Ramgarhia Girls Senior Secondary School, Millerganj, received prizes at an annual prize distribution function held here today. Eightythree students from different classes were given prizes for their achievements in academics, sports and cultural activities. They included three top position holders from all classes.

The programme began with the recital of shabad ‘Deh Shiva bar mohe ehai’. A play on the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh won much applause. Skits titled “Dukh sukh” and “Bhagwant Mann Singh” were presented. Several students presented solo folk songs. These included “Charkha mera rangla” by Divya, “Ratti teri ve dhol” by Davinder, “Alarh Umar” by Tejinder Kaur, “Mawan te dhiyan ral” by Karamjit and “Nikka mota bajra” by Amandeep.

PAU scientist honoured
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 8
Dr V.K. Nayyar, Senior Soil Chemist and Head, Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been awarded the Fellowship of the Punjab Academy of Sciences for his outstanding contributions in the field of agricultural sciences. He was honoured with a citation and a medal at the inaugural function of the 5th annual convention Punjab Academy of Sciences held yesterday at the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. He is also a Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Indian Society of Soil Science.

Dr Nayyar has made significant research contributions in the area of micro-and secondary-nutrients and pollutant elements in relation to crop production and soil-plant-animal health. Dr Nayyar’s researches on various facets of micro-and secondary- nutrients and pollutant elements such as development of diagnostic criteria for delineation of micro-and secondary-nutrient deficient areas in the state, establishment of responses to a range of crops to the application of micronutrients, nutrient indexing of crops, methodology for the determination of micronutrients in soils and fertilisers, establishment of critical values of micro-and secondary-nutrients and pollutant elements in soils and crops, identification of plant germplasm for their tolerance to micronutrient stresses and pollutant elements toxicities, development of technology for the amelioration of micro-and secondary-nutrients deficiencies are both of basic and applied value.

He has published more than 200 research papers in various national and international journals including scientific reviews, technical and Congress papers. He is also the author and co-author of four books and two bulletins.

COURTS

PSEB’s demand quashed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 8
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has quashed PSEB’s demand of Rs 6,753 from Ms Sarabjit Kaur, a resident of Rajguru Nagar, on charge of theft. It also directed the board to refund the amount along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the date of deposit till actual payment.

According to the complainant, board officials inspected the meter at her residence on September 21, 2000. At the time of checking, the actual load was 4.300 KW against the sanctioned load of 2.10 KW. She said the officials had noticed a hole in the meter and they removed it. After that she received a bill of Rs 10,362 for consumption of 206 units, including sundry charges on account of arrears due to revision of tariff.

The consumer pointed out that despite the fact that the sanctioned load was 4.960 KW, it was mentioned as 2.10 KW in the report. She said at the time of checking, the running load was 4.300 KW. She explained that she had not violated any rule as the running load was less than the sanctioned load at the time of the inspection.

She stated that the meter was regularly checked by the meter reader and no information was given to her regarding the hole in the meter and no notice of lapses was ever served on her. She disclosed that even her signatures were not obtained at the time of the checking or sealing the meter.

The consumer alleged that the demand had been raised illegally. She said she was liable to pay Rs 387 out of the demand of Rs 10,362 for consumption of 206 units only and rest of the demand was liable to be quashed. She further demanded that the board should be directed to restore the connection without imposing any fine for running excess load.

The board pleaded that the meter was checked on September 9, 2000, and board officials found that the complainant was stealing energy. However, it was admitted that the sanctioned load was 4.300 KW.

The respondent maintained that the demand of Rs 9,035 was raised on account of unauthorised load surcharge and compensation for theft of energy. It further stated that it had withdrawn the load surcharge amount and as such only Rs 6,753 was due to the respondent from the consumer on account of theft of energy. The respondent said the demand to that extent was legal and the complaint was liable to be dismissed.

The forum observed that the board had raised Rs 10,362, but later on the amount on account of load surcharge was waived off since the consumer was having sanctioned load more than the load which was found connected at the spot. After that the complainant was to pay Rs 6,753 on account of theft of energy, it observed.

The forum stated that it was necessary to prove that through the hole the consumer was controlling the consumption of power. So the forum quashed the demand of Rs 6,753.

SPORTS

Ravinderjit is best athlete
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 8
Ravinderjit Singh, a student of BCA-II, was at the centre stage winning two titles on the concluding day of the annual sports festival of the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, Gujarkhan campus, Model Town, here today. Ravinderjit Singh won 100 m sprint and also emerged winner in 200 m race.

Ravinderjit Singh also figured in relay team which won a gold. In the 4x100 m relay race, the quartet of Ravinderjit Singh, Komal, Simrat and Navneet romped home victorious. Ravinderjit was declared the best athlete. The team of Amritpal, Jasinder, Kiran and Harpreet finished runners-up.

In 400 m race, Navneet of BBA-II finished ahead of others to win a gold. Simrat of BCA-II won the second spot.

In volleyball, team of BCA- II (A) bagged gold while team consisting of players of BBA-IV and BCA-VI finished second. In badminton, Sukhbir of BCA-VI emerged as champion in the boys section while in the girls section, Malvika of BCA-VI clinched the title.

In doubles, the pair of Malvika and Sukhbir won the title and Kuljit and Nidhi duo, students of MCA finished runner up.

Dr A.S. Bansal, Director, GNIMT, while addressing the students after the meet said participation in various sports disciplines during this five-day sports festival had provided students great opportunity to exhibit their talent, strength and stamina which would help in identifying the players who have the potential to excel at the university and higher level meets.

Dr Bansal said this meet had some special features as it was organised jointly by students and the faculty and the competitions were held only in the afternoon, after the regular classes were over which saved the precious time of the students.