Scientists’ advice to farmers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 13
Wheat scientists of Punjab Agricultural University have suggested the applying of second irrigation to wheat sown during November and first irrigation to wheat sown during December. To late sown wheat, apply remaining dose of ‘n’ along with first irrigation. In light textured soils, where wheat follows paddy sulphur and manganese deficiency can be expected.

Manganese deficiency causes interventional chlosis of the middle leaves they have said and added that such deficiency symptoms can be corrected with spray of 0.5 per cent solution of manganese sulphate. two sprays of 500g manganese sulphate each at weekly interval may be done. The symptoms of sulphur deficiency are upper leaves become light green and then yellow while the lower leaves are still green. If such symptoms are noticed, one quintals gmpsum/acre may be broadcasted in the field and shallow irrigation may be given or if the soil is in proper moisture conditions, this may be mixed by hoeing.

PAU experts have also suggested transplantation of bare-rooted plants of poplar from mid January in channels. In block plantations, plant the poplars at 5x4 m apart and in single line on boundary at 3m apart in north-south direction.

Clones PL-1, PL-2, PL-3, PL-4 and PL-5 should be planted in Central Plain Region and Clones PL-3, PL-6 and PL-7 in semi-arid region. Dig the pits of 15-20 cm diameter with the help of an auger. The depth of pit should be 75cm in heavy soil and 100 cm in light soil. Soak the plants for about 48 hours in running fresh water before planting. Treat the lower 1m of plants with 0.25 per cent emulsion of Durmet/Dursban/ Ruban for about 10 minutes and then with 0.15 percent solution of Emissan-6 for about 20 minutes. After planting, the pits should be filled with top soil and FYM (1:1) mixed with 10-20g Lindane 20 EC and 50g P2 O5 (300g single superphosphate).

College to organise cultural programme
Our Correspondent

Samrala, January 13
The local Malwa College, Bondli-Samrala, will organise cultural programme on the college premises from January 15 to 16, according to the college Principal, Dr Parminder Singh Benipal, here today.

Dr Benipal said inter-college contests and Aduti kirtan darbar would be the main attractions. In this cultural programme, inter-college folk song contest, inter-college drama competition and histrionics competition, lohri celebrations and holy kirtan darbar would be organised.

Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Minister for Higher Education, local MLA Amrik Singh Dhillon, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the SGPC, Jathedar Kirpal Singh Khirnian, member, SGPC, and Mr Kamaljeet Rattan, Political Adviser to the British High Commission at Delhi, would attend the function.

Mr Kamaljeet Rattan, president of the Old Students Association of the college, will be the guest of honour.

Government College gets Grade A
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 13
The Principal and the staff of Government College claimed that the college had been awarded grade-A (Institutional Score 85-90 per cent) by NAAC- National Assessment and Accreditation Council recently. The status of the college as a leading institution of north India had thus been vindicated. This gradation would result in increased grants for quality enhancement in future. This had been possible through the hard work put in by the staff of the college and steering committee comprising Prof Dr B.M. Sarwal, Prof Rajinder Singh, Prof Ashwani Bhalla, Prof P.S. Sohi, Prof Jai Pal Singh and Prof Jatinder Mohan under the guidance of the then Principal Mr V.P. Gaur.

The present Principal, Mrs Indra Bhatia, promised at a meeting today to continue the good work and to take the college to greater heights and glory and to implement the suggestions made given by the PSER team of NAAC in its report to the college. These suggestions pertain to the formation of an internal quality assurance cell (IQAC) to monitor the parameters of academics.

Whirlpool told to pay compensation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 13
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has penalised Whirlpool of India Ltd for supplying a defective washing machine to a customer and not rectifying the faults. The company has been directed to pay Rs 3,000 as compensation to the consumer for harassment.

Delivering the verdict, Mr A.S. Narula, president of the forum, held that though during the proceedings of the case the company had replaced the machine, the complainant had undergone harassment and mental torture at the hands of the company for which he should be compensated. The forum has directed the company to comply with the order within one month from the receipt of the order.

The complainant, Mr Balwant Rai of Preet Nagar, New Shivpuri Road, stated that he had purchased the machine from Shivpuri-based M/s Kunal TV Centre. At the time of the sale two-year warranty was given.

The machine developed faults after a few days of the purchase. After lodging the complaint, officials of the company changed parts. Again the machine started giving troubles but despite repeated requests nothing concrete was done, said the complainant.

Following the complaint, the forum issued a notice to the company but no one appeared. The complainant informed the forum that the company had replaced the machine on March 30, 2003, but demanded compensation for the harassment. After appreciating the evidence on record, the forum found the company to be deficient in providing services to the consumer.

Lakhari Sabha holds meeting
Our Correspondent

Mandi Gobindgarh, January 13
A meeting of the Punjabi Lakhari Sabha, Mandi Gobindgarh, was held in the municipal hall, here today.

It was presided over by Surjit Singh Marjara, its patron. Mr Gurnam Singh Bijli, Anup Singh Khanpur, Rajinder Singh Dhariwal, Baj Sakandar, Upkar Singh Dayalpuri, Jagjit Singh Guran, Gurpratap Singh Ashk, Mahinder Singh and Mehma Singh presented poems and songs.