Farm mechanisation has cut cost, says expert
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 7
A three-week summer workshop on advances in interculture and plant protection equipment organised by the Department of Farm Power and Machinery concluded here today. The event was sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, and was attended by the participants from Punjab and other states.

Keeping in view the research work being done by the department in the area of farm mechanisation, the ICAR allotted this summer school to the Department of Farm Power and Machinery. The objective of this programme was to update the quality of teaching and research by promoting awareness regarding the recent advances.

In his welcome address, Dr I.K. Garg, Head of the department and Director of this summer school, highlighted the role played by farm mechanisation in Punjab during the Green Revolution. Mechanisation has helped to reduce the cost of cultivation and reduce the losses. Dr Garg also emphasised that recently the department had developed large number of machines which had been commercialised and adopted by the farmers to a large extent. Some of new machines especially include walk-behind type sprayer, aero-blast sprayer, high clearance sprayer for cotton and weeders.

Other experts invited to deliver the lectures to participants included Dr G. Singh, a former Director, CIAE, Bhopal, Dr S. Ganeshan, Principal Scientist, CIA, Bhopal, Dr S.R. Verma, former-Dean, COAE, PAU, Mr S. Patel, MD, ASPAA, Mumbai, Dr U.S. Walia, Professor, Department of Agronomy and Agrometereology, PAU, Dr A.S. Sohi, Prof at Department of Entomology.

The participants visited various manufacturers of farm equipment and plant protection equipment such as Sigma Sprayers, Ludhiana, Unison Engineers, Jalandhar, Guru Nanak Agril Engineering Works, Jalandhar, International Tractor Ltd, Hoshiarpur, Cooperative Societies, Jagraon and Farm Machinery Manufacturers at Moga, Dr Garg added.

They also visited MERADO, Ludhiana and Central Tool Room, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Bhakra Dam.

The chief guest, Dr S.K. Sondhi, Dean, COAE, highlighted the importance of summer school and appreciated the department for conducting the summer school. He also suggested to make the judicious use of insecticides, weedicides and pesticides because too much use of these things are responsible for the chronical diseases. He emphasised that the participants attending this course will be benefited by spreading mechanisation in their states.

Presiding over the function, Dr V.K. Sharma, Registrar, PAU emphasised the need for such trainings to strengthen knowledge and update the knowledge of the participants with the latest developments. He said that it will help the farmers of their region by accelerating the adoption of new machines developed in the department.

Students take lesson in taxation laws
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, September 7
Students of Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE) here had a unique experience when Mr Mohinder Ranga, Additional Commissioner, Central Excise, delivered a guest lecture on taxation and shared with them his experiences in the field of central and state taxation.

Mr Ranga talked at length about principles of taxation, procedure in budget related to taxation, direct and indirect nature of taxes and levy of different taxes. He spoke on issues pertaining to the taxes related to mutual funds, transaction tax, service tax, tax rebates, cess, ad- valorem, central excise and custom duty. He told the students that no tax could be levied without the consent of Parliament. The finance Bill, appropriation Bill and vote on account also came under discussion and the students were apprised with the procedure as to how the bills were changed into act of legislature for the levy of taxes.

Mr Ranga distinguished between the central and state tax on the basis of levy, collection and appropriation. He mentioned about cess, which was levied by the legislature. Explaining about certain basic principles of taxation, he dwelt upon the taxes paid by recipients of services and the capacity to pay.

While replying to a question, he said that the opposition to taxation in general and VAT in particular, had arisen from various factors like fear compliance with tax laws was difficult and cumbersome and heavy penalties likely to be imposed even in case of unintentional mistakes, administration and negative perception about tax administrators.

Dr K.N.S. Kang, Director, PCTE, while presenting vote of thanks described Mr Ranga as one of the most upright officers, who was putting in lot of efforts to handle the responsibility of Directorate of Central Excise Intelligence. 

Students celebrate Janmashtami
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 7
Janmashtami was celebrated with fervour at Everest Public Senior Secondary School, Moti Nagar, on Monday. Tiny tots of the school presented a colouful programme of dance and music, depicting different aspects of the life of Lord Krishna. Dressed like Krishna and Radha, the children staged skits, dance items and short plays.

Short speeches were also made by the students. A large number of parents were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Prof Harpal Singh, former Director, Punjab School Education Board, said the lifestyle of Lord Krishna should be followed by each and everyone so that they could improve their social status. He said Lord Krishna had set the examples in very field of life for everyone.

Mr Rajinder Sharma, president of the Association of the PSEB Affiliated Schools, Punjab, advised the students to follow the ‘karma and dharma’ philosophy of Lord Krishna and implement his working style in their lives as had been explained in the Geeta and the Mahabharata.

Ms Asha Sharma, Principal of the school, welcomed the guests and distributed fruits and sweets among the students.

Green Land School: Janamashtmi was celebrated with great pomp and show at the Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, G T Road here today. School students presented the Raas Leela.

Mr Rajesh Rudra, Director-cum- Chairman of the school and Mr Usha Rudra lit the holy flame to mark the beginning of the show. Ms Baldeep Pandher, Principal of the school, in her message urged the students to inculcate and imbibe the virtues advocated by the Lord Krishna.

Students plant saplings
Tribune Reporters

Samrala, September 7
Vanamahotsava was celebrated at Malwa College, Bondli, near here, today by the Youth Welfare Club of the college under the leadership of Prof Harinder Kaur and Dr Harinderjit Singh Kaler.

The SDM, Mr J.S. Jassi, inaugurated the function by planting a sapling on the college campus. Saplings were also planted by members of the Malwa Education Council and members of the club.

Mr Jassi and the Principal, Mr Parminder Singh Benipal, addressed students and highlighted the important of plantation. Some of the students also spoke.

In the second phase of the function, Dr Hardeep Shahi and Dr Neerja Sharma spoke on “Homoeopathic system of treatment” and they answered queries of students.

Teacher’s Day

Ludhiana: Teachers’ Day was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm in the Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, here on Tuesday.

Gurjeet, head girl of the hostel, welcomed the guest of honour, Mr Gursewak Mann, a renowned Punjabi Singer. She also paid tributes to former President of India Dr S. Radhakrishnan, in whose memory Teachers’ Day is observed.

A cultural extravaganza, comprising classical and western songs, skits and Punjabi songs, was also presented on the occasion.