New block of GNN College inaugurated
Our Correspondent

Doraha, July 20
The newly constructed information technology and postgraduate block of GNN College was inaugurated by Mr Tej Parkash Singh, Transport Minister, Punjab, here today.

The college has been granted affiliation for the postgraduate course and BCA classes by Panjab University this year.

Mr Tej Parkash Singh congratulated the president of the College Managing Committee, Dr Ishwar Singh, and Principal of the college, Mr Jaswant Singh Gill, for successfully running the institution. Expressing his concern for this “rural college”, has assured financial and moral support to the college. He promised to construct a boys’ hostel in the college and announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for the development work in the college.

Mr Jaswant Singh Gill expressed his views on the education being imparted to the students belonging to rural background. He requested the Minister to allow students to travel on buses free of cost.

Dr Ishwar Singh asked the Minister to work towards encouraging sports in rural schools.

A memorandum was presented to the Minister by the president of PCCTU, Prof Parminderjit Singh, executive member, Prof Kuldip Singh, Local Unit president, Prof Sukhwinder Singh Virk, and secretary, Local Unit, Prof M.S. Bhandari, for considering the outstanding demands of the teachers, which included the implementation of pension, gratuity scheme, release of arrears and restoration of grants to the level of 95 per cent. He assured the teachers to recommend the demands for consideration to the Chief Minister.

A “paath” was organised and students standing first, second and third in various classes were honoured by the Minister.

Firm told to replace defective product
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 20
In an ex parte order, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed an Amritsar-based firm, Purab Mercantile, to supply a new Ab Isolator exerciser of Tele Brand free of cost to Mr Jaswinder Singh, a resident of Kalgidhar Gurdwara Road. The forum has also directed the firm to pay Rs 500 as cost of litigation and compensation to the consumer.

According to the complainant, he had purchased one Ab Isolator from the respondent on August 27, 1999, for Rs 730.10. The consumer stated before the forum that the product was delivered at his residence by Mr Anil Kumar who gave him the assurance that it was a world-class exerciser.

The consumer testified before the forum that the promise turned out to be false, as just after 10 days the exerciser broke down. He further said as per the company’s rules, it was delivered at the branch office of the company in Ludhiana. Later, he was assured by the representative that a new exerciser would be delivered at his residence, he added.

Mr Jaswinder Singh said he was not issued any receipt by the branch office in lieu of the broken exerciser. He alleged that despite requests, the respondent kept on dilly-dallying and the delivery was not made. After sometime the branch office of the firm was closed down. The consumer approached the Amritsar office of the firm and was assured that delivery would be made by March, 31, 2001, but to no avail, he added.

The consumer alleged that the firm had sold a defective exerciser to him and did not replace it with a new one. The forum observed that according to the documents produced by the complainant, purchase of the product was proved. The forum further observed that the evidence produced by the consumer could not be rebutted. Moreover, the respondent had not even chosen to contest the claim, it added.

The forum held that since the exerciser broke down after 10 days of its purchase, the respondent was liable to supply a new one to the consumer of the same brand and make. 

Man jailed

Ludhiana, July 20
Sohan Singh of Dharamkot village, Ferozepur district, has been sentenced to 4 years imprisonment on the charge of illegally possessing poppy husk under the NDPS Act. A fine of Rs 5,000 has also been imposed on the accused.

Delivering the verdict, Mr D.R. Arora, Additional Sessions Judge, held that the prosecution had proved beyond doubt that the accused was apprehended with 25 kg of poppy husk without any permit or licence. The judge turned down the plea of leniency raised by the accused. OC