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Higher prices sought from Centre for groundnut, maize
Ludhiana, July 26 Based on the calculations by PAU economists, led by the head of the department of Economics, Dr A.S.Joshi, the state has suggested a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 743 per quintal for common paddy varieties and Rs 817 per quintal for grade ‘A’ paddy. The MSP presently for paddy is presently Rs 600. The economists, including Prof K.K.Jain and Prof. B.R.Garg, have supported their hypothesis of higher price for kharif crops taking into account “weather risk and management, marketing costs and parity with wholesale price index and input index” with base year 1970-71. For wholesale price index and input price index, the base year is 2005. Dr Joshi today said that the data with regard to the cost of cultivation of various variables for kharif had been worked out on the basis of average of three years, 2000-01 to 2002-03. The sample survey involved 300 farm families across Punjab. In respect of cotton, the cost of cultivation comes to Rs 2835 per quintal. “Since the cost of production at Rs 2835 per quintal is higher than the parity price, the minimum support price demand of Rs 2835 per quintal should at least cover the cost of production,” he pointed out. Maize is an important alternative crop. To promote this, the stress is to discourage farmers from sowing paddy, a water-guzzling crop, which occupy 26.47 lakh hectares in 2004-05, compared to 3.90 lakh hectares in 1970-71. This tremendous increase in area has resulted in the lowering of the water table and deterioration in soil health, added Dr Joshi. Since Punjab is doing its best to divert area from paddy to maize to save on water and restore soil health, the PAU has suggested that the support price of maize should be increased by at least 10 per cent more than Rs 817, the suggested support price of the grade ‘A’ variety of paddy. Consequently, the document submitted to New Delhi suggests a price of Rs 899 per quintal for maize. Dr Joshi pointed out that no data on the cost of cultivation of pulses, groundnut etc. is available. Yet the state emphasis is on diversification towards these crops. “We have recommended 30 per cent increase for 2006-07 kharif crops over the price of 2005-06,” he added. The demanded or recommended price for moong and urd (mash) is Rs 1976 per quintal, arhar Rs 1820 per quintal and groundnut-in-shell Rs 1976 per quintal. While calculating the cost of cultivation, PAU economists have taken cognizance of the price percentage increase in 2006-07 in respect of machinery, irrigation, seed, fertilizer, manure and pesticides, insecticides and weedicides.
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Exhibition organised at KVM
Ludhiana, July 26 Keeping this in mind, an exhibition was organised by the primary section at Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, here yesterday during the parents-teachers meeting. The classrooms were decorated with the crafts work, paintings, models, charts, toys, drawings, etc that were prepared by the students during their summer vacations. Book reviews, interesting word puzzles and informative reports on wild discovery clearly showed the way the children had spent the time during vacations. They were guided to watch educational programmes on television. The efforts of the students were praised by the school Principal, Mr S.C. Sexena, and the primary section in-charge, Mrs Kavita Wadhwa. The parents felt that such type of exhibitions will go a long way in encouraging the children to spend their time in a useful and creative way. Leadership seminar A ‘leadership seminar’ was organised at Everest Public Senior Secondary School, Moti Nagar here today. Mr Rajinder Sharma, President, Association of the Punjab School Education Board Affiliated Schools, presided over the function. The motive behind organising the seminar was to train the students for public speaking and develop qualities of leadership in them. Mr Sharma advised the students to prepare themselves to lead others and come to the forefront to face hurdles bravely. He advised the students to inculcate qualities of leadership to be able to steer clear of the hurdles in life. Mrs Asha Sharma, Principal of the institution, stressed that modern age is an age of strife. Self-confidence, firm determination, single-minded devotion and hard work help a person to climb the ladder to success, she said. “Success is one per cent chance and ninety nine percent perspiration. The persons who shine in the firmament of glory and make a name in the annals of history were ordinary persons, but with unflinching courage, patience and hard labour rose to eminent positions,” she said.
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Army career challenging, says Brig Joshi
Ludhiana, July 26 This was stated by Brig P.D. Joshi, Deputy Director-General, Recruitment Zone, Jalandhar cantonment, today while speaking on “Recruitment in defence services”, at the inaugural session of the third day of the public information campaign (PIC) organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), at Sahnewal. Earlier, he presented power-point presentation on the Army. He also exhorted the youth to make the Army as their cherished career. He said joining the Army meant winning for life and making oneself a man of honour. He said nearly 5,000 jawans had been selected through recruitment rallies during the past few months and the Jalandhar zone has achieved 100 per cent recruitment target during 2005-06. Elucidating the process of recruitment in the soldier category, Brig Joshi said all such recruitments were done only through rallies for which rally schedule was published in leading vernacular dailies and weekly Employment News and Rozgar Samachar. Warning against touts, Brig Joshi clarified that the recruitment in these categories was a free of cost process and only successful candidates in the recruitment test were selected. He said to achieve transparency, accountability and accuracy, the entire process of recruitment had been automated. A complaint redressal system has been established at all branch recruiting offices (BROs) in the zone, he added. Brig Joshi said young men with intellect, idealism and courage must choose career as an Indian Army Officer. He said several options are available for entry in the National Defence Academy (NDA), the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and the Officers Training Academy (OTA). He said for joining the NDA, the students in class 12th in the age group of 16 and-a-half to 19 years, were eligible and had to appear for entrance examination conducted by the UPSC followed by the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. In the Indian Military Academy entry options includes direct entry, engineering graduates, university entry scheme and Plus Two PCM (Technical). Brig Joshi said the eligible candidates had to appear for entrance examination called the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination conducted by the UPSC under prescribed calendar He said women aspirants were recruited as officers through the Short Service Commission procedure. He said women graduates, post-graduates and engineering graduates in the age group of 19 to 27 years, were eligible who had to face the direct interview. The selected women candidates receive training at Officers Training Academy, Chennai. Details can be had from Employment News and vernacular newspapers from time to time and all Branch Recruiting Offices. He said trainees at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and the Officers Training Academy (OTA) were paid Rs 8000 per month. Talking about the growth, development and great life style in the Army, Brig Joshi claimed that Army was the only career which offered not only attractive pay and perks but also a unique lifestyle wherein army men in their respective categories, lead a life with adventure, honour and glory. Brig Joshi also talked about the facilities being provided in the service. It included modern facilities of education in Army Schools besides facilities of accommodation, medical care for Army personnel and their families, group insurance cover, group housing schemes, soft loans for purchasing conveyance like scooter or a car or for constructing a dream house. He said there were ample opportunities to enjoy adventure sports in the service. He said polo, mountaineering, river rafting, gliding, trekking, sky-diving, Para-Sailing, Shooting, Skiing, para-jumping, rock climbing, desert safaris, etc, could be enjoyed, which is hardly available in any other professional career. Earlier, Brig Joshi visited a stall set up by the Branch Recruiting Office (BRO), Patiala, at the venue and was briefed by the Director, BRO, Col. M.P. Patil about the exhibits in the Army stall.
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PCCTU starts campaign on pension scheme
Ludhiana, July 26 Mr H.S. Walia, president of the PCCTU, said that the Chief Minister had openly said that after abolition of octroi, all promises made in the party’s poll manifesto, except one had been fulfilled. “We feel that the last promise regarding pension scheme for the college teachers should also be fulfilled without further delay”, said Mr Walia. Dr Jagwant Singh, general secretary of the union, said all the chief ministers of Congress since 1992, namely Mr Beant Singh, Mr Harcharan Singh and Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal promised pension scheme to college teachers but it was not implemented till
date. To press upon the government regarding their demand, Dr Jagwant Singh said during July, teachers would call upon Congress ministers, MLAs and party office-bearers and submit memorandums demanding fulfilment of poll promise. Giving details about their agitation plan, Prof Walia and Prof Jagwant Singh said on August 1, teachers working in GND University area will cease work after second period and submit memorandums to Deputy Commissioners. On August 7, teachers working in PU area and on August 11, teachers from Punjabi University, Patiala, will repeat the same action. “The phase of reminding poll promise will end on August 18, when teachers will proceed on mass casual leave and stage a ‘poll promise reminder march’ from Barnala to Patiala.
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Christian college student tops
BDS exam
Ludhiana, July 26 Supneet Singh Wadhwa has throughout been the topper in the BDS securing seven distinctions. Speaking about his achievements, Supneet said he got a good academic environment in the college as well at home. He was encouraged by the academic achievements of his family members. Supneet’s sister Parminder Kaur Wadhwa also got a distinction in the JRF-NET UGC test in computer applications. She also topped in M. Tech (computer sciences) exam conducted by Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar. The Punjab Commerce and Management Association (PCMA) has congratulated Supneet for his academic achievements.
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20 colleges start courses without NOC
Ludhiana, July 26 The Principal of a college in the district said colleges affiliated to Panjab University only had to take NOCs for these small matters, whereas colleges affiliated to Punjabi University, Patiala, and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, were exempted from this. “Why this bias with PU only? Moreover, a representative of the DPI was also there when we made our representation, still NOCs were not issued”, he said. Mr Tarsem Bahia, a member of the PU Senate and Syndicate, said he had raised the issue in the Syndicate meeting held on July 12 in Chandigarh. These colleges were fulfilling all conditions to introduce new courses. “Moreover, the state government had made it clear that it would not grant anything to run the courses and everything had to be done by the colleges. Then why are they not issuing NOCs to over 50 colleges?” asked Mr Bahia. The Principal of another college disclosed that they had already admitted students in these newly introduced courses. “The government has made everything chaotic. All the admissions are to be made by the end of July. If we wait for NOCs, we may not get it for another two months, which means one academic year would go waste.
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Programme on sunflower kernel usage ends
Ludhiana, July 26 During the programme, entrepreneurs were educated on cleaning, grading and hulling of sunflower seed,
demonstration on roasted sunflower kernel snack foods and confectionery products preservation and packaging of sunflower kernel and confectionary products, production of protein isolates and concentrates from defatted sunflower meals, quality evaluation of products and project profile preparation.. Dr R.T. Patil, Director, CIPHET, presided over the function while Dr R.K. Gupta, senior scientist and training coordinator of the programme, welcomed the gathering and briefed them about the training programme. The Director distributed the certificates and congratulated the entrepreneurs for taking the training in sunflower kernel products. He suggested to the entrepreneurs to display their developed products in schools and market complexes for the popularisation of the product. He also informed that the CIPHET would conduct such entrepreneurship development programmes on different products in the future. Dr D.S. Uppal, head, TOT, talked about the prospects of sunflower based products in the market. Scientist M.R. Manikantan proposed a vote of thanks.
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A. S. College student tops MA-I exam
Ludhiana, July 26 The Principal, Dr. R S Jhanji ,said this was for the 13th time that the college students had topped in one or the another examination of Punjab University. President of the college managing committee Yoginder Sharma and Secretary Sanjeev Dhamija congratulated the student and lauded the efforts of the Principal, faculty and parents for the rare achievement The result of MA-II (political science) is also 100 per cent.
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Principal promoted as DEO
Samrala, July 26 A farewell party was given to Mr Bachittar Singh Barn, which was largely attended by educationists, teachers and representatives of social organisations. Mr Gurdev Singh Mushkabad, president of the parents and teachers association, highlighted the services rendered by the Principal for this school.
PAU office timings changed
Ludhiana, July 25 According to PAU Registrar, Dr V.K. Sharma, the restrictions on the use of air conditioners will continue. It may be recalled that the office timings were changed to 8 am to 2 pm due to power cuts imposed by the PSEB in the afternoon.
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Impressive show by Punjab troupe in Danish festival
Ludhiana, July 26 The Punjab Cultural Promotion Council (PCPC), led by its honorary director, Mr Davinder Singh Chhina, attended the event. Accompanied by 12 students of Baba Farid Public Senior Secondary School, Bathinda, Mr Amitoz, Dhaliwal, Mr Pavittar Singh Brar, Mr Ashnavdeep Grewal, Ms Preetjot Kaur, Ms Amritpal Kaur, Ms Navjot Kaur, Ms Navdeep Kaur, Mr Amandeep Singh Sidhu, Ms Kinderbir Kaur, Ms Navprit Tiwari, Mr Jagwinderpal Singh Sandhu, School’s director-principal Mr Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal, Ms Paramjit Kaur Dhaliwal and Nankana Sahib Public Senior Secondary School and Ms Jasneet Kaur Chhina; PCPC choreographer Mr Rajpal Singh Raju (Ludhiana), the 17-member strong troupe from Punjab, gave performances of Punjab’s folk dances at Haderslav’s Sports Centre at Hadersev’s Stadium and impressed the international gathering. The PCPC team also attracted international tourists and audience in the world famous Tivoli gardens of Copenhagen. Danish festival is considered as the world’s biggest festival comprising sports and cultural activities, including gymnastics, swimming, basketball, biking, shooting, roller skating, music, aerobics and folk dances. The PCPC troupe was the only contingent from India, and by its performance, brought laurels to the state of Punjab. World-class entertainment shows by Danish parachutes, Danish gymnasts, Harbour Show, and fireworks display also impressed the Punjab’s students a lot.
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Japji Khaira is Miss Panjaban Australia
The president of the Australian chapter of the Sabhyacharak Sathh, Mr Narinderpal Singh Gill , and the media secretary Mr Sham Kumar, conveyed in a press note that Ms Japji Khaira was crowned Miss Punjaban Australia, 2006, organised under the aegis of Mr Jasmer Singh Dhatt ,the founder and chairman-director of the exclusive Pageant Miss world Panjaban. Ms Japji Khaira from Glenmore Park of Sydney was crowned Miss Panjaban Australia-2006. She is 19, stands 5’ 6” and is a student of Bachelor Applied Science (IT). She made the entire audience swing on the tune of “Pasey Hat Ja Jalma Panjaban Jatti Aayi”. A dexterous dancer and lover of music, Ms Khaira believes that the real beauty of a person lies in her “seerat” (character) and not “surat”. She has vowed to promote Punjabi language and culture in Australia now. Ms Supreet from Claremount Meadow performed on the tune of “Haye Haye Ni Legya Sada Dil Mirza” and bagged the position of the first runner-up. Ms Manjinder Kaur of Kellyville Sydney Australia got the title of the second runners-up by performing on dazzling tunes of “Dhudh Ridke Jhanjaran Wali, Kainthewala Dhaar Kad Da” sung by Mazri Sisters.
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Dr Saluja joins Apollo Hospitals
Ludhiana, July 26 A DM in gastroenterology from the PGI, Chandigarh, he has special interest in treatment of oesophageal disorders, alcoholic liver disease and biliary disorders. His paper on endoscopic management of oesophageal tear had recently been published in International Endoscopy Journal. His main area of research has been oesophageal carcinoma.
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Ludhiana, July 26