Workshop for farmers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 1
Punjab Agricultural University will organise a training workshop on ‘Information technology in agricultural development’ for members of the Punjab Kisan Club, an organisation of progressive farmers, at the Farmers Service Centre on July 4.

The objective of the workshop is to acquaint the farmers with the role of information technology in the agricultural development. Special efforts will be made to give practical demonstration about various usages of computer to obtain information.

According to Dr H.S. Sekhon, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering, and convener of the workshop, selected farmers will be encouraged to establish information centres in their villages so that farmers can have direct links with the university experts, state government officials, international research centres and markets.

The workshop will be inaugurated by Dr K.S. Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, which is being sponsored by the British Council under the Higher Education Links scheme. Ms Kanta Vadehra, Manager, Education Project, will represent the council.

The council is already supporting PG diploma in information technology started by the university last year. Nearly 100 farmers are expected to participate in the workshop.

EDUCATION

Building for patients’ kin opened
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 1
The education system in the state is being rationalised, the staff position in the senior secondary schools had been reviewed and posts of surplus teachers were in the process of being shifted from those schools where the number of students of a particular stream was not up to the fixed norms, Education Minister Khushal Behl claimed.

He was in the city to address the annual Hariman function of the Behl Biradari and Charitable Trust, held in the honour of Baba Sidh Badal at Behl Dharamshala. Earlier, he inaugurated a 12-room block meant to be used by the relatives of patients admitted in CMC and the Civil Hospital.

Alleging that the education system had collapsed during the SAD-BJP regime, the minister said a large number of senior secondary schools had been opened without ensuring the proper strength of the students. Unnecessary posts of teachers had been sanctioned by creating specific streams. The strength of the students and staff in all such schools were being reviewed and the posts of teachers — from those schools where the number of students were negligible — would be shifted to the other schools with higher student strength.

Mr Behl further said the introduction of English in primary schools from Class 1 onwards was not a practical decision since small children grasp things easily in their mother tongue. He said from the next academic session, the English language would be taught from Class III in the primary schools. He further informed that to improve the quality of education, teaching of computer applications would be introduced from Class VI in the high schools.

PAU scientists’ book released
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 1
The book, ‘Tillage for sustainable cropping’, written by Dr P.R. Gajri, Dr V.K. Arora and Dr S.S. Prihar, scientists of the Department of Soils, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been published by the International Publishers M/s. The Haworth Press, New York.

The book is a state-of-the-art examination of diverse tillage systems and tillage-induced edaphic changes and their implications for soil productivity and the environment. It provides a rational framework for tillage systems that take soil and climatic characteristics and the availability of other edaphic inputs into consideration.

The volume also examines soils sustainability in terms of pollution, green house gases, water contamination, growing production demands and soil degradation, and looks at the way crops respond to tillage techniques in terms of weed growth, root growth, crop yields and more. It provides professionals and students with the rationale behind the current techniques and explores what the future demands of this segment vital industry.

Colleges hail govt decision
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 1
Affiliated colleges have welcomed the decision of the Punjab Government to retain the computer courses, including BCA, M.Sc (IT), PGDCA, in affiliated colleges saying it is timely and a step in right direction, as the computer science and application is an integral part of all the streams of education. They observed that shifting of such courses to Punjab Technical University would have adversely effected the functioning of the colleges, especially the rural colleges.

They observed that this step has not only saved the future of the colleges but would also provide students opportunities for instruction, especially rural students who have an easy access to these colleges. Hailing Mr Khushal Behal, Minister for Higher Education, they said, he deserves all appreciation for his open-mindedness and his clear perception regarding the location and continuation of these courses.

The colleges also thanked Mr Gurcharan Singh Ghalib, MP, for his role to this effect. Mr Tarsem Bahia of A.S. College Khanna, Dr A C Vaid of SD College, Chandigarh, Mr Jaswant Singh Gill of GNN College Doraha, Prof Bawa Singh former Vice-Chairman, Minorities Commission of India, also expressed their gratitude to the minister and the Ludhiana MP.

Bachittar Singh appointed DEO
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 1
Mr Bachittar Singh, who has worked as District Education Officer (secondary wing), for almost two months in the year 2000, has once again been appointed the same post following transfers and reshuffles ordered by the Punjab Education Department yesterday.

COURTS

PSEB directed to refund money to complainant 
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 1
The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has quashed a demand for Rs 38,462 on account of consumption of energy for period from June 1995 to July 1996 on the basis of average consumption, which was raised by the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) from Mr Chattar Singh a resident of Subhash Nagar, Ludhiana.

The commission set aside the order passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ludhiana, on March 2, 2000, in which the complaint of the consumer had been dismissed. The commission has directed the PSEB to deduct the charges for the period of six months and to refund the balance amount.

According to the complaint, the consumer was issued a bill for Rs 44,805, including a sum of Rs 38,462 on account of average consumption of energy for the said period. The representative of the consumer, Mr Sarna stated that during June 1995 and July 1996, the meter installed in the premises of the complainant had remained dead.

Mr Sarna said under Section 26 (6) of the Indian Electricity Act, the PSEB could not charge for more than six months in case of a defective meter. He pointed out that the demand raised to the tune of Rs 38,462 was not in accordance with the rules of the PSEB and thus it was liable to be quashed.

Mr Sarna had produced a judgement of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, passed in 1987, in which it was clearly stated that if an electricity meter installed in the premises of a consumer has been defective for, say, a period of five years, the revised charges can be for a period not exceeding six months. As per the judgement, it is the duty and obligation of the licensees to maintain and check the meter and if there is a default committed in this behalf by the licensee and the defective meter is not replaced, then it is obvious that the consumer should not be unduly penalised at a later point of time.

The commission observed, “this case is squarely covered by the judgement of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.” The commission held that the PSEB should charge the consumer for six months only in this case.

2-yr-old Vanshika IBCA queen
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 1
‘Thirkan’, a cultural programme for small children organised by the Indo-British Cultural Academy (IBCA), was held here last evening.

Mr Amit Verma, Director, IBCA, said the function was organised to bring out the talent of the children.

More than 100 children participated in the show. Ishan presented a dance number on ‘Main nikla gaddi leke...’ and Noor on ‘Ambarsar de papad...’.

The performances of Tavleen on ‘Rangli madhani...’ Harsimran on ‘Din shagna da...’ and Sonia on ‘Sharara...’ were well appreciated by the audience.

Two-year-old Vanshika was chosen the Indo-British Cultural Academy Queen and presented a golden crown by the chief guest, Mr Rohit Choudhry, DIG, Ludhiana Range.