AGRICULTURE

Fall in wheat yield hits farmers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 8
There is a considerable fall in the wheat yield this year and farmers have suffered losses on account of this. According to Mr Ajmer Singh Lakhowal and Prof Manjit Singh Qadian, BKU leaders the fall in the wheat yield, between 25 - 30 per cent, is a matter of grave concern and has added to the losses suffered by farmers. The falling water table too has added to the cost factor since the tubewell bores have to be deepened each season.

The kisan leaders said others problem areas for the farmers included hike in the prices of diesel, pesticides and fertilisers and collection of canal irrigation cess. This had resulted in the inability of farmers to repay their loans since most of the proceeds from crops were spent on mere sustenance only. The landholdings too had shrunk which had made agriculture for the marginal farmers unprofitable.

They urged the government to give a fillip to the diversification drive and create awareness among farmers to go in for beekeeping, pisciculture, poultry, piggery and other allied farm occupations. The government should provide interest-free loans up to Rs 1 lakh to such farmers so that they could start their new ventures. The state should also initiate the crop insurance scheme so that the produce was insured against any calamities, they added.

Farmers’ problems discussed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 8
A meeting of the PAU Farmers’ Committee was held today to discuss problems related to the availability of seeds, protection of crops from diseases and pests, BT cotton, cultivation and marketing of produce. University scientists and extension specialists answered queries of farmers.

Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, PAU Vice-Chancellor, said it was the marketing of agricultural produce that was of concern as only a remunerative price for the produce could sustain agriculture in the state.

Dr G.S. Nanda, Director (Research), said research on sugar beet was on and recommendations would be made soon.

Dr J.S. Kolar, Director of Extension Education, said arrangements for the sale of improved seeds had been made in Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the state. He urged the farmers to use farm inputs judiciously in order to minimise the cost of production.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Directorate of Agriculture and Horticulture, Punjab Expo Corporation Punjab Agro-Industries Corporation, Punjab State Seed Corporation and Chief Conservator ( Forests).

Fee hike: students out with begging bowls
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 8
Students of Arya College, the Government College for Boys and GGN Khalsa College held a rally from Khalsa College for Women with begging bowls and went begging from shop to shop in Ghumar Mandi.

The Ludhiana unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) participated in this ‘begging day’. Sandeep Kapoor, its president, told ‘Ludhiana Tribune’, “Government is shirking from offering cheaper education to its citizens. To meet the expenditure of its luxuries, the government has increased the fees.”

Rohit Sharma, secretary of unit, said: “We hear that the youth are the future, but the youth who cannot educate themselves due to the high fees introduced by the government cannot be the leaders of tomorrow.” The Punjab government should feel ashamed for increasing the fees.”

Rajat Sood, a student leader, said the amount collected by begging would be given over to Capt Amarinder Singh, so that it could be spent on buying luxuries for the MLAs and ministers of the Punjab Government. Sandeep Kapoor condemned the Higher Education Minister, Mr Harnam Dass Johar, and the Education Minister, Mr Khushal Behl, for their “negligent attitude” towards education.

He said that it seemed that the government wanted to run its affairs by extorting money from poor students. The ABVP would launch an agitation against the government if it did not reduce the fees soon. He also released a comparative list of increase in fees this time and the last time and said the government wasn’t being fair to students.

The Ludhiana unit of ABVP said if the state government did not roll back the fee hike before the starting of this session, its activist would gherao the Higher Education Minister, Mr Harnam Dass Johar and the coming academic session would see more agitations by students.

The unit also condemned the Amritsar police and the Administration for cane-charging the AVBP activists yesterday. These activists were protesting against the state government decision to hike the fees.

Fancy dress show for kids
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 8
Students of Disneyland Nursery School and Alpine International School, Civil Lines, participated in a fancy dress competition held here today. Attired in colourful and imaginative costumes, children of nursery, KG and class I participated enthusiastically.

The star attraction of the show was Sayam (nursery) who was dressed like a vegetable-seller and Raghu Gulati (KG) who stole the show with his performance. “Little Red Riding Hood” was recreated by the nursery children.

The winners were categorised into three groups. Nursery: Sayam (first), Shrishti (second) and Ishita (third). KG: Raghu Gulati and Saksham shared the first prize, Vikram won the second position while Chahat came third. Class I: Sahil (first), Rahul (second) and Labshita (third).

Ms Rajeshwari Dhir, Principal, gave away the prizes.

Tiny tots have jungle party
Our Correspondent

Tiny tots of Lovely Nursery Play School during a jungle party held in Ludhiana on Thursday. — IV