Ludhiana, August 18
A nine-member Chinese delegation led by Mr. Zhou Shichang, Vice Chairman, Standing Committee of Hunan Provincial People's Congress, China, visited Punjab Agricultural University today. The delegation came to learn the secrets of producing quality rice.

Talking to the Director of Research, Dr. B.S.Dhillon, Director of Extension Education, Dr.S.S.Gill, and other senior scientists of the University, Mr. Shichang said that although China was a world leader for producing rice yet its quality of rice is not acceptable in the international market.

"We have increased our rice production through hybrid varieties but have not been successful in improving our quality. Our rice is of smaller grain and it breaks during processing", he said.

"We have come here to explore the possibility of bilateral cooperation between India and China to produce international quality rice".

Briefing the delegation about the contributions of PAU, Dr. Dhillon said PAU had been instrumental in increasing the productivity of rice and wheat in the country. The increased production of these crops have brought a green revolution and changed the country from a food deficit state to a surplus one.

"Today Punjab contributes 60% wheat and 45% rice to the national pool and our productivity of these crops is the highest in the world", said Dr. Dhillon. The University has also developed superfine varieties of Basmati rice which have found acceptance in the international market.

Dr. Dhillon further informed the delegates that the university has done pioneer work in producing hybrid varieties of pearl millet.

Welcoming the offer of Chinese delegation for cooperation, Dr. Dhillon said that China and India both have strong ties since ancient times. The new cooperation will mutually benefit both the countries.

Director of Extension Education, Dr.S.S.Gill, told the delegates that the university had developed strong linkages with farmers of the state through different extension programmes.

The university organizes kisan melas at Ludhiana campus and other regional centres in the state during March and September where more than one lakh farmers visit. In these melas, farmers get seeds of the improved varieties and they are also acquainted with new farm technologies through farm literature and live demonstrations.

Ludhiana, August 18
A fortnight after officials of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation had ordered the stopping of recarpeting of roads, already in a good condition in New Vishawakarma Nagar, the contractor restarted work on another street in the area two days ago.

The development work came under scanner during the first week of this month and an inquiry was also ordered by Commissioner Vikas Partap amid allegation that the project worth lakhs, was allegedly ‘‘aimed at helping some contractors by the area councillor. ’’

Work was stopped midway following the highlighting of the matter by the Tribune in these columns. Mr Partap had asked Joint Commissioner, Mr Ashok Bajaj, to look into the matter and report to him.

The work was stopped the next day after some officials of the MC reached the spot and asked the workers to stop digging the roads.

But even after the order, the workers of the contractor started digging another road which was also in a good condition. Mr Bajaj and the inquiry officer did not comment on the development. He said he was busy in a meeting and would respond to the query after some time. He was not available till the filing of this report.

A complaint in the case, Mr Rachpal Singh Brar, former president of New Vishwakarma Nagar Welfare Society, said the work on the roads were in progress at a fast pace.

Mr Kamardeep Singh Pappi, husband of area councillor, Ravinder Kaur, said the MC had ordered restarting of the work after the allegations were found wrong. He said they were recarpeting it after six years while as per the MC Act they could do it after three years.

Mr Pappi said only one resident was raising such objections due to some ulterior motives. Residents were having a tough time due to the poor condition of the road. The residents had started a signature campaign in favour of recarpeting, he claimed. 

Ludhiana, August 18
Activists of the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh staged a protest demonstration against the rising prices of essential commodities in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office here today. The protest was in connection with the nationwide agitational programme of the sangh.

Addressing the demonstration, Ram Lubhaya Bhawa said the government had failed to curb the rising prices across the country. He said it was the working class which was bearing the brunt of the rising prices.

BMS activists also condemned the state and the Centre for failing to provide the minimum wages to the workers. They said according to the current price index, the workers should get the minimum wages of Rs 4500 per month while the government had fixed these at Rs 2,400 only. And in a number of cases the workers were not getting even this much of amount.

Mandi Gobindgarh, August 18
In order to oust the Congress government from the state, all likeminded anti-Congress parties should extend cooperation to SAD to form a common front, suggested Captain Kanwaljit Singh, former Finance Minister and SAD general secretary, after addressing a meeting of SAD activists.

Ranjit Singh Bhambari and lambardar Harpal Singh was talking to mediapersons at Nasrali village near the town yesterday.

They opposed Captain Amarinder Singh who had stopped the payment of 9 lakh as old-age pensions sanctioned by the Akali-BJP government.

Commenting on the slogans of Captain Amarinder Singh in favour of farmers and the Dalits, SAD leaders pointed out that farmers were under debt of Rs 24,000 crore while the Dalits had to return loans worth Rs 2,000 crore.

The Chief Minister instead of providing relief to the people spent Rs 5 crore of public money for the renovation of his office. — OC

Amloh, August 18
The elevation of Mr Gurpreet Singh Bhatti for the second time as the district chief of the youth wing of the SAD, Fatehgarh Sahib, was hailed by SAD and BJP workers here today.

He appealed to the party workers to forget their differences and work unitedly to ensure the success of the SAD candidate from the Amloh constituency in the coming elections. He appealed for the success of the workers’ meeting to be held on august 22. He was presented with a siropa on the function.

SGPC member Didar Singh Bhatti advised the workers to ensure that voter cards were prepared for each voter in the village when a team comes to their respective villages.

Among others, district BJP chief Dharam Paul, district vice-president Raj Pal Garg, former SGPC member Jassa Singh, Jathedar Randhir Singh Bhambri, SAD (Urban ) Amloh chief Hari Chand Mittal and Mr Surinder Singh also addressed the meeting. 

Ludhiana, August 18
Indians are great buyers and they have the buying potential. Wherever in India I exhibit my designer outfits, I get very good response. These views were expressed by Ms Khoula Naeem Ahmed, vice-chairperson, standing committee on women entrepreneurs, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Federation House, Main Clifton, Pakistan.

Ms Khoula has put up an exhibition, “Bride and Groom”, showcasing designer suits and sarees here. Laila’s Art — the label of the designer wear, has rich coloured intricate embroidery on chiffon, crepe and cottons.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, she said, “I have been coming to India for the past three years. I have exhibited my clothes in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore and the response has been tremendous. There has been demand for traditional patti work from Pakistan. Indian women have style and taste and they do not mind spending on something unique”, she said.

She further added that the price tag of her clothes is reasonable. “My prices are same for wholesale as well as retail dealers.

Cotton suits start from Rs 2,500 and heavy stuff goes upto Rs 10,000. All outfits have been designed by me, keeping in mind the trends and colours.”

She has already exhibited her designer wear in the USA and the UK and majority of her customers include NRIs. Accompanied by her husband from Sialkot, Ms Khoula said she hardly found any difference between the cultures of two countries. She said her in-laws belonged to Jalandhar and Amritsar.

Ludhiana, August 18
The Lok Bhalai Party has assured the members of the backward class community that if it will form the government in the state whether of its own or in alliance with others, it will ensure that the backward classes got their rightful due.

Addressing a press conference here today, the acting state president of the LBP, Mr Avtar Singh Mulapuri, said members of these communities had joined the party as they had faith in the leadership of the party president, Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia.

He assured them that the party would serve their interest on priority. 

Ludhiana, August 18
Mr Sunil Maria has been nominated to the working committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal. This was announced by the party president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, here recently.

Mr Badal said the SAD was now giving representation to each and every community in the interest of the Punjabis.

Ludhiana, August 18
The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhik Committee (SGPC) chief, Mr Avtar Singh Makkar today asserted that the Sikhs did not need a certificate from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) about their separate identity. He said RSS was not even the representative of the Hindus but only one of the several organisations.

Talking to reporters here today, the SGPC president said that it hardly mattered to the Sikhs, the followers of Guru Nanak and other nine Gurus whether the RSS considered them as Hindus or Sikhs. He said, it was too trivial an issue to be taken note of. He pointed out Sikhs had an established identity based on their history of hundreds of years of selfless sacrifice.

On the issue of the demonstrations being orchestrated by the former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee president, Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, Mr Makkar said these demonstrations were being staged at the behest of the Congress. He alleged that this was being done only to defame the Akali leadership. But people were aware of the designs and machinations of these elements.

The SGPC president also announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh for Mr Ishwar Singh who saved a girl from being abducted.

Mr Makkar also announced cash rewards for some athletes also. 

Jagraon, August 18
In three separate incidents, 12 persons have been booked by the Jagraon police on the charge of assault. In the first incident, Neela, Amrit, Golu and Meena of Partap Nagar Jagraon have been booked by the police on charge of assault when they allegedly assaulted Harkhush Nasib Singh of Partap Nagar with a screw driver, a stick and a knife. The police has registered a case under Sections 324, 323, 341, 506, and 34 of the IPC. The injured has been admitted in Civil Hospital, Jagraon. No arrest has been made so far.

In the incident, Karnail Singh, Jarnail Singh, Lakhi, alias Daljit Singh, Nachhattar Singh and Balbir Singh of Kular have been booked by the police on the charge of assault when the allegedly assaulted Kewal Singh of their village with toka, iron pipe and sticks.

The police has registered a case under Sections 324, 323, 146 and 149 of the IPC. Some dispute of land is said to be the reason behind it. No arrest has been made so far.

In the third incident, Ujjagar Singh, Nachhattar Singh, Kulwinder Singh, alias Kinda, of kaunke Kalan have been booked on a charge of assault when they allegedly assaulted Karnail Singh of their village and Jarnail Singh with a sword.

The police has registered a case under Sections 447 and 324 of the IPC. Both injured have been admitted in Civil Hospital, Jagraon. Some dispute of land is said to be the reason behind the incident.