Farmers warned against pest attack
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
Punjab Agricultural University has advised farmers to protect their fruit crops from an attack by pests. In a press note of the Centre for Communication, Languages and Culture of the university, it has been stated that recent surveys conducted by experts have informed about a severe attack of psylla and whitefly on citrus and of aphids on peach and pear plantations. Sporadic incidents of aphid attack on wheat have also been observed in some pockets of the state.

It has been stated that aphids suck sap from developing grains, leading to shrivelling of the grains. Besides, these excrete honey dew on which sooty mould fungus develops on leaves, making these sticky and black in colour, thus affecting in photosynthesis.

PAU experts have said farmers must supervise their crops and in case they find more than five aphids in single ear head on an average, then the crop should be sprayed for control of aphids. In case the attack has spread in the entire filed, the whole field should be sprayed or else only the borders need to be sprayed. 

Nursing graduates pass out
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
It was a moment to rejoice when graduates of the College of Nursing, CMCH, handed over the light to the fresher of the college. In its traditional mannerism, established in year 1889, the College of Nursing, CMCH, inducted yet a new batch for the course in general nursing. Dr D.P.S. Sandhu, Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, who was the chief guest at the function, gave away the prizes.

Ms Panamma Ranadive, Principal, College of Nursing, in her report highlighted the activities of the college during the past two years. Ms Sudesh David, Nursing Superintendent, CMCH, administered the nursing pledge to the young nursing graduates, which was followed by the distribution of certificates. The prizes were given to the students for their outstanding performances in various fields.

Akal Massey, Rajwinder Kaur, Gorgina Gorge and Abha were awarded for excelling in academics for the year 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. The awards for the Best Bedside Nurse for year 1997 and 1998 were bagged by Meenakshi Singh and Manju Joseph respectively, while the prize for the best community nurses went to Pooja Shiv Kumar, Harpreet Kaur and Gurvinder Kaur. Shamma and Pooja Shiv Kumar were judged the best all rounder nurses.

In his address to the audience, Dr Sandhu said the care and compassion a hospital staff nurse showers on the patient helps in reducing the sufferings of the patient. He added that it was a mother-child relationship between the nurse and the patient and blessed are those who can serve the community in their suffering. The additional Vice-Principal, Prof. (Mrs) S.K.N. Singh, delivered the vote of thanks.

Fill posts, say teachers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
The Government College Teachers’ Association (GCTA) at its first meeting of the state council held under the newly elected President, Prof Bhag Singh Sandhu, at Government College for Women today demanded that all vacant posts of lecturers, principals and Librarians in all government colleges of Punjab be filled.

In a press note issued here Prof Jaipal Singh, general secretary of the association, said the members have resolved that all pending issues pertaining to feeder grade service, past service, pay anomalies and increments for the left-out M Phil/ PhD holders be taken up vigorously. It further states that teachers have to be prepared for a long-drawn struggle as the office of the DPI (colleges) had been creating hurdles and the Finance Department too had been dilly-dallying their issues without any reason.

The association also condemned the placement of college lecturers below the junior employees by some authorities conducting elections, thus flouting the guidelines of the Election Commission.

Teachers hail govt decision
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
The Government Primary Teachers Association, Punjab, has hailed the decision of the Punjab Government to lift the ban on promotions of government school teachers. Stating this, Mr Baldev Krishan Moudgil, general secretary of the association, said promotions of several teachers, centre heads, head teachers and Block Education Officers were due in the first week of April. The association also appreciated the efforts of the government in issuing a grant of Rs 500 for every teacher of the primary block to be spent on miscellaneous expenses. 

COURTS

Compensate passenger, Roadways told
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
In a significant decision, the Consumer Forum has penalised Punjab Roadways for not providing comfortable seating during journey to a passenger. As per the complaint, the passenger travelled from Moga to Ludhiana on a rainy day. To the utter shock of the complainant, the roof of the bus was leaking, and drenched the complainant. The forum decided the case in favour of the complainant and directed the Director (Transport), Punjab, and General Manager, Punjab Roadways, Moga , to pay Rs 1,000 as compensation, besides retuning the bus fare charged from the consumer.

Delivering the verdict, Mr Janeshwar Goyal, president, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Moga, observed: “When the opposite party(roadways) received the bus fare, it implies that the opposite party agreed to provide a comfortable journey to the passengers, including the complainant, up to their destination.”

“But as has been discussed and found, the condition of the bus was bad and the complainant was inconvenient in the bus throughout his journey. It amounts to deficiency in rendering services by the opposite party and, therefore, the complainant is entitled to compensation,” the forum said.

The complainant, Chandu Ram Verma, of Haibowal Kalan, Ludhiana, had alleged that on September 13, 2002, he boarded the bus from Moga. It was raining. After some time, the the roof of the bus started leaking at several places, forcing the passengers to change their seats. Even he had to change his seat twice.

“I was holding an umbrella which I kept on my side, but it fell from the bus, as there was a big hole on the floor of the bus. I got drenched and caught cold,” the complainant added.