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FCI, PAU join hands to minimise grain tampering Ludhiana, December 7 Under this research project, CIPHET would plan, guide and carry out the work relating to collection of data from the FCI, complication of data, its analysis and issues related to quality evaluation. In order to reduce storage and handling losses, CIPHET would also recommend certain suggestions. The FCI would also extend financial participation for this project and provide required support and help to the personnel deputed by CIPHET for carrying out the aforesaid study. The duration of the project would be for three years tentatively and it will start working from January, 2004. It is expected that the study when completed would provide viable solutions and suggestions to be imparted, would go a long way in minimising losses in CAP storage and also for upkeeping the quality of stocks. The need for the project has been felt for quite some time since the state is a foodgrain surplus state which contributes maximum quantity of cereals to the Central pool. The wheat and paddy stocks in Punjab are procured by extending minimum support price by the FCI. The stocks procured are not moved outside the state soon after its procurement and their safe storage in the state itself becomes imperative till these are liquidated in phases, gradually by rail and road to deficit states for maintaining the public distribution system and also for ensuring availability of stocks to numerous welfare schemes launched by the Centre. The stocks are required to be stored in covered godowns so as to treat them properly and also to avoid any adverse impact on their quality and quantity by the vagaries of the nature. Since volume of stocks to be handled are enormous, required infrastructure for its storage in covered godowns is not operationally possible as this facility otherwise also is a costly proposition. The paddy stocks are stored under CAP as duration of its storage under normal circumstances is for a short period. The paddy stocks procured are liquidated for their eventual milling and they do not remain in storage for longer period. As paddy storage mainly is from October to March, the stocks are not exposed to crude weather conditions. On the other hand wheat storage under CAP lasts for a longer duration and stocks procured in April and May face the onslaught of monsoon period during July- August. |
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Workshop on moong preparations Amloh, December 7 Dr Kiran Bains with Ms Renuka Aggarwal, research associate, PAU, gave a demonstration on preparations of cooked dishes of moong with spinach, fried cakes of pulse flour, fried
chappati, rice mixed with lentil dish. The tasty preparation were served to the participant women of the village. Copies of a book on various preparations from moong with illustrations were distributed free of cost. The book contains the method of preparation of 20 food items, which can be prepared from moong pulse. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kiran said, “the habit of use of pulses has been reduced in the country, it resulted in the decline of
their cultivation, which resulted in hike in their prices and people further abandoned their use. Grains and pulses provide proteins in our food. Around 47 per cent women in the villages suffer from anaemia due to the shortage of iron in daily food”, she asserted. She recommended the new moong variety SML 668 to the farmers saying that, “it ripes in a shorter period and it increases nitrogen in the soil. As compared to other crops, its inputs are less than other crops, which makes it profitable for the farmers. It is a source of minerals, i.e. iron, calcium and phosphorus”. She recommended the use of moong not only as a pulse, but also in other food items. Various tasty items were prepared on the spot for demonstration to the women of the village. A book containing 20 preparations from moong published by the PAU was distributed among the participants. Ms Renuka Aggarwal also addressed the workshop. Mr. Balbir Singh Jaria thanked the team from PAU and the participants. |
School staff sore over police inaction Ludhiana, December 7 A week after the incident, the victim is still admitted in serious condition in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the DMC Hospital. The police has so far succeeded in nabbing Baljit Singh, father of the accused student, Gurpreet Singh. No headway has been made as regards the identity of other two persons. Teachers said they were planning to launch an agitation next week in protest against the police inaction. Former Health Minister, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, who is additional secretary of the school trust, said the school trust was in total support of the aggrieved family and was lending all possible help. He said the trust had taken up the issue with the district police. |
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Annual function of school Ludhiana, December 7 The programme started with deep prajwalan ceremony. It was followed by Saraswati vandana. The chief guest was welcomed by Mr R.K. Gupta, member of the BVM Trust and president of the BVM Managing Committee. Students presented a cultural show. The principal of the school, Mr Goutam Gupta, read out the annual report. Students were given prizes for achievements in studies, cultural activities and games. The chief guest was given a memento. Mr Manmohan Bamba, president of the BVM Managing Committee, extended a vote of thanks. The programme concluded with the signing of National Song.
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SCHOOLS Ludhiana, December 7 A colourful cultural programme was presented by the students. Nearly 500 school students participated in the function. The special attraction of the function was the theme of “World Harmony and Peace” presented in form of choreography “Shanti Kab Milegi.” The other interesting items were Bhikharin, a Hindi play, Magnetic Power of Man, an English play with grand finale “Recalling the Indian Golden Memories”. The chief guest awarded students who were placed in merit list in the Class VIII Board examination. They were Khushboo Jain and Aashita Jain, while those placed in the merit list in Class X Board examination to be honoured were Bhavya Jain and Sonia Jain. Founder president Prof S.C. Jain informed the audience that the school had acquired 10 acres at Neelon Bridge for providing sports and other facilities to the students. An exhibition at Saraswati Modern School attracted visitors at a science, art and craft exhibition -cum-fete in the school today. Mr Avinash Chander Sethi, District Education Officer, Ludhiana, inaugurated the exhibition by lighting a lamp. The centre of attraction of the exhibition were craft material and workable science and social science models. Models depicting various ages in man’s life were carefully created by small students of Class VII. Dance competition and “antakshri” competition were organised by the staff members. The visitors entertained themselves by participating in various games. |
Ex-Dy Commandant acquitted in corruption case Ludhiana, December 7 Delivering the verdict, Mr Inderjit Kaushik, Special Judge, held, “from calculations it is clear that the income of the accused was much more than the expenditure, but the prosecution has not taken into consideration the same, whereas the accused has been satisfactorily able to explain and account for the assets. The prosecution witnesses have not made reliable statements and the defence version is more probable.” Mr Ahluwalia was booked by the Vigilance Bureau under Sections 13(2) and 13(1)E of the Prevention of Corruption Act on August 16, 1996, following a complaint by DSP Vigilance Darshan Singh. As per the allegations by prosecution, the accused, during the period from January, 1989, to December, 1993, purchased a house in Chandigarh, a plot in Khanna, NSCs and deposited money in different banks. It was claimed that his expenditure was more than known sources of his income. According to prosecution, the accused spent Rs 13.3 lakh, whereas his income from all reliable sources was around Rs 10.79 lakh. It was alleged that the accused had acquired property worth Rs 4.58 lakh by misusing his official position. A case was registered against him and he was arrested. However, during the trial, the accused pleaded not guilty and claimed false implication. The prosecution examined more than 15 witnesses to substantiate their version, but failed. |
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Bar association poll Ludhiana, December 7 As per the schedule, candidates can file nomination papers from December 8 to 10. The scrutiny will be done on December 11. Withdrawal of the names will be allowed till December 13 and the elections will be held on December 20. Voting will be held from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The result will be declared on the same day.
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Captivating
performance by Gurdas Mann Ludhiana, December 7 Being an extremely devout person , Gurdas Mann started his journey with a devotional song “Meri Rakheeye Laj”. He said, “During my youth , I heard Challa on radio from Pakistan and thought that was the most amazing song of my life.” Hence he regaled the audience by singing ‘challa’, his own composition. He showed his adeptness in singing gazals too. “Raato mein uth kar jinke liyee rote hai, woh apne makaono mein aaram se sote hai” , a gazal written by late Sagar Nizami was sung with deep passion. Gurdas Mann has written more than 230 songs and since these are his own creations, he sings his songs especially those dealing with subjects like exploitation of women, female infanticide etc. He said ,” People build mosques and temples and thus create divisions among themselves. Birds are better as they sit on mosques as well as temples. He sang a song from his latest album Heer ‘’Ki khatye mein heer ban ke” . He explained how the incidents moved him, making him pen the songs. On request , he sang his famous song, “mamla gadbad hai”. “Ranjha Ranjha Kardi Mein to Ranjha” and the fine example of “Ishq Haqiqi” was his passionate singing of “kamli yaar di kamli , ve mein kamli” that just kept the audience spellbound.
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