Ludhiana, March 31
If the NDA is voted to power again at the centre, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will take up with it the issue of granting a special package to the Punjab farmers which will provide for subsidies on fertilisers, pesticides, farm implements and other inputs on the pattern of those being provided by developed nations.

This assurance was given by the SAD-BJP nominee from the Ludhiana seat, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, during a tour of more than 20 villages in the Ludhiana (rural) Assembly segment here today. The villages covered by Mr Dhillon during the tour included Dolon Kalan, Sarinh, Bulara, Sangowal Ranian, Jarkhar, Dangore, Khanpur, Jassar, Paddi, Bhagwanpura, Tibba, Natt, Harnampura, Jaspal Bangar, Dharor, Pawa and Khakat.

Addressing a well-attended meeting in Alamgir village, Mr Dhillon claimed that his party was committed to make the state of Punjab another California. “We shall strive to seek at least 50 per cent subsidies to make farming an economically viable profession. Farm insurance will provide protection against natural calamities and financial assistance on lower rates of interests will bring prosperity to the agricultural community.” He said the party would also work towards setting up of agro-based big industries in the district to create more employment avenues for the rural youth.

Attacking the Congress, Mr Dhillon alleged that the successive Congress governments at the Centre and in Punjab had discriminated against this border state and, in particular, the people of Punjab had always been given a raw deal. He further asserted that all developmental activities had come to a screeching halt during the two-year rule of the Congress in the state.

Mr Dhillon also criticised the Lok Bhalai Party chief and former Union Minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, who was in the fray from the Ludhiana seat. He charged Mr Ramoowalia with resorting to cheap gimmicks to exploit the sentiments of the masses while claiming that the SAD-BJP combine would make a clean sweep in the Lok Sabha poll.

Ludhiana, March 31
Kamalpreet Kaur, a student of Guru Hargobind Public School, Kaonke Kalan, Jagraon, has topped the district in Class V examination the results of which were declared by the elementary wing of District Education Department here today.

Kamalpreet has topped with 497 marks out of 550. Second position in the district has been shared by three students, each scoring 494 marks. They are Rajbir Kaur of New Punjab Public School, Humbran, Kamaljit Singh of Nankana Sahib Model High School, Janta Nagar, and Priyanka of Sant Nirankari Mission School. Third position has been secured by Gunvir Kaur of New Punjab Public School, Humbran.

Declaring the results, Ms Harvinder Kaur, DEO (Elementary), said 51,601 students had submitted their examination forms. Of these, 51,031 students appeared for the examination in the district and 49,746 students got through. Pass percentage of the district stands at 97.48 per cent, she said.