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Farmers seek legislative support for
farm operations Ludhiana, January 4 In a resolution passed at the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Budh Singh Wala) today, the participants also endorsed the PAU Farmers’ Committee decision of December 20 urging the government to take appropriate legislative measures to stop early transplant of paddy, burning of paddy and wheat straw and ban on sowing of paddy varieties not recommended by the university. Chairman, Marketing Committee, Kot Isse Khan, Vijay Kumar Dhir and farmers Randhir Singh Rhode and Harjit Singh Sodhi said the measures would help conserve water. The SAC meeting was presided over by PAU’s Director of Extension Education Dr S.S.Gill who appreciated the cooperation and support of the district administration in supplementing PAU efforts to impress upon the farmers to adopt recommended package of practices for better yields and returns and follow knowledge-based scientific agriculture. Farmers suggested that the university should conduct educational tours of farmers to the farms of those farmers who had achieved commendable results in application of diversification in agriculture, marketing their own vegetables, adopted dairy farming, etc. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Moga, Mandeep Singh assured the farmers of completing the road from KVK Budh Singh Wala to Charikh by March 31. He also said with the help of the PAU, the administration would create awareness among the farmers about the alarming drop in water level at the rate of 2.5 feet per year in the district. He also expressed concern that even submersible pumps were being unable to pump out water in the Nihal Singh Wala block and called for urgent corrective steps. Mandeep Singh assured Dr Gill of cooperation by all district cooperative societies with the PAU to organise training camps and courses in different agriculture related vocations. Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Kamaldeep Singh Sangha said his department would cooperate with the PAU on the dissemination of knowledge about Information Technology and home science. The meeting was attended by specialists and officials of related departments.
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Scientists apprised of farm advances Ludhiana, January 4 Speaking at the conclusion of the course, the Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr. G.S. Chahal, updated the participants on steps being taken by the state and the university to promote cultivation of vegetables for domestic and international markets, vegetable-preservation technologies, importance of organically-grown vegetables, meeting the nutritious needs of the farmer’s family as also the demand of the consumers at home and abroad. The participants were exposed to new concepts, wherein PAU has launched a programme of setting up model organic nutritious kitchen gardens at its 15 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and impressed upon farmers to spare one kanal area to grow their own vegetables, fruits and pulses. Dr A.S. Sidhu, Head, Department of Vegetable Crops, said vegetables were viable alternatives to traditional wheat and paddy crops and also ensured better returns per unit area. He informed the participants about the latest biotechnological innovations to raise improved varieties of vegetables, about post-harvest management of these perishable
commodities which at present logged high wastages during handling. The need for use of nets for cultivating off-season vegetables, use of bio-fertilisers and bio-pesticides was also stressed. The course on the vegetable production technology was also addressed by experts from the Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, the University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, HAU, Hisar, and Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. During the course, the participants were also taken to vegetable processing units and canneries in vegetable.
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Fleecing by schools: DC urged to intervene Ludhiana, January 4 “English medium schools in the city
are openly looting people at the time of admissions to even pre-nursery and nursery classes. However, the state government has failed to frame any
suitable policy to curb such a practice,” he said. Highlighting the extremely high charges by schools, he said
while application forms along with prospectus were sold at exorbitant rates, charges for
registration or interview ranged between Rs 250 and Rs 500 per applicant. Every
applicant was asked to enclose a medical certificate that cost another Rs 200-Rs 500. Pointing out the
problem of heavy donations, he said donations ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 2 lakh were taken by schools without issuing receipts for the same. Besides, there were
funds in the name of medical, library, provision for AC rooms, computer lab maintenance, building maintenance
etc, he alleged. “These are the facilities that the schools should provide without charging extra from parents,”
he said.
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200 NSS volunteers take part in camps Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 4 The function was presided over by Amarjit Singh Bhatia, while Balraj Singh Jandali was the chief guest. According to college Principal Ajay Batra, the volunteers undertook various activities during the camp. Besides taking part in a cleanliness drive and promotion of environment, the volunteers distributed woolen garments and books among needy students. A cultural programme was presented by them. Bhangra, choreography and folk items performed by Sukhmit Shenty and Lakhbir Kaur were well appreciated. During his keynote address, Mr Bhatia urged the students to focus on achieving excellence in studies. “During your student life you should not fall prey to the deliberate exploitation by political leaders who had lately been using the youth for their meager gains,” he advised students. General secretary Arvind Malhotra, chairman Prem Gupta, former chairman, Punjab Agro, Jagjit Singh Ghungrana, Momnabad sarpanch Jarnail Singh, and NSS officers C.P. Dua and Mansha Ram stressed the role of social service organisation in personality development of students. Another function was organised at Guru Har Krishan College, Phallewal, on the conclusion of a 10-day NSS camp at Akbarpur Chhanna village yesterday. Over 100 volunteers from the college took part in the camp. The function was presided over by director Sukhdev Singh Walia. Addressing the volunteers, Mr Walia claimed that NSS camps had been serving as a gateway to leadership for the younger generation. Amarjit Singh Sidhu said such camps taught students better ways of living together. “At times it surprises us that those students who did not take even a glass of water on their own at their house voluntarily offered to do odd jobs for their comrades and seniors,” said Mr Sidhu. Appreciating the performance of the volunteers, he claimed that a major part of the village had been cleaned and maintained by them. A cultural programme was presented by the volunteers. Bhangra, choreography and folk items performed by them highlighted the problems of the rural folk. Principal Rachna Sidhu and Harjit Singh emphasised the various aspects of youth welfare.
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One-stop workshop for
hi-tech tractors Ludhiana, January 4 The workshop in the Department of Farm Power and Machinery was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, here today. He said over a period of time, the design of farm tractors had changed, incorporating several technical improvements. Even multi-national tractor manufacturers were showing keen interest in the Indian market. The new line of hi-tech tractors had the latest in design, engine, transmission, hydraulic and other systems. The New Holland Tractors Marketing Director, Mr D.K. Dhamija, said the portals of the company were open to PAU engineers handling farm machinery for training purposes. The workshop would have all facilities to deal with the latest gadgets and tractor systems and aggregate sub-assemblies etc for which special tools and teaching aids had been made available. Dr Aulakh said the number of tractors in Punjab was around 4.59 lakh. Such workshops would go a long way in honing skills of the farm engineers. He impressed upon the farmers to make optimum use of tractors and farm machinery. On an average, a tractor must be operated for at least 1,000 hours annually, against the present usage of only 400 hours.
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Villagers to boycott school over transfers Jagraon, January 4 According to Mr Mukand Singh, sarpanch of the village,
Mr Jagtar Singh Khatra. DPI (Primary), visited the school on December
22, 2005, and after taking stock of the situation admitted that the
transfers of the two teachers were effected without holding an inquiry.
He had assured the panchayat that justice would be delivered within
two days of holding of the inquiry. However, the promise was not
fulfilled. The panchayat has decided to boycott the school till the
transfer orders are not withdrawn. It demanded strict action against
the female teacher who levelled “false” allegations against the two
teachers.
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