AGRICULTURE

‘Punjab Budget anti-farmer’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 29
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has criticised the Punjab government for its “anti-farmer” Budget proposals. It said this Budget was not for the poor.

Mr Ajmer Singh Lakhowal of the BKU said here today that farmers, already buried under debt, would be crushed by the steep hike in the prices of fertilisers, farm inputs, diesel and petrol. “By withdrawing incentives to farmers, the Congress government had proved itself anti-farmer,” he said.

The leader also said the government had scrapped compensations to farmers’ families for accidental deaths during farm operations and suicides. He said the budget proposals did not include the Rs 30 per quintal bonus on paddy that the Congress had included in its election manifesto.

“Farmers had no motivation to market alternative crops or adopt diversification,” said the leader. Mr Lakhowal supported the campaign against corruption launched by the Chief Minister of Punjab, but said is should not be selective and vindictive.

Computer centre for the needy
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 29
A computer centre was inaugurated here today on the Rotary Bhavan premises, Sarabha Nagar, by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Aggarwal. The centre will meet the needs of computer education of the poor and needy students.

While inaugurating the centre, Mr Aggarwal delivered an information and detailed lecture on universe. He said the universe was uniform and full of natural elements. However, the scientists have their own way of its interpretation. The physical losses are seen everywhere. He remarked that life is also seen on other parts of the universe. He also gave reference from Ramayana in support of his lecture.

Rs 4.26 lakh dues slapped on eloped firm
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 29
In an ex-parte judgment, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed VSB Finance and Hire Purchase to pay Rs 4.26 lakh deposited with it as the fixed deposit receipt (FDR) investment to Ms Charanjit Kaur, a woman who lives in Iklahi village of Khanna district. The company also has to pay an interest on the amount at a rate of 14 per cent per annum from January 20, 2000, (maturity date of the FDR) to the day of payment.

Ms Charanjit Kaur had invested Rs 3 lakh in the FDR on January 20, 1997, for 36 months. She was to get the principal with 14 per cent interest, compounded annualy, on January 20, 2000.

Later, she learnt that the company had closed its office. She could not trace any of its officials at their given addresses. She had to recover the principal and the Rs 1.54 lakh interest. She had also claimed Rs 10,000 as compensation for the mental harassment that she had suffered.

The forum said documents proved the complainant’s claims and that she was entitled to recover the principal and Rs 1.26 lakh in interest from the company.