Jalandhar, October 14
Since the inclusion of 13 new districts of Punjab in the National Food Security Mission (FSM), cultivated area under pulses in the state has increased up to four times as compared to earlier years.

Earlier, up to 2009, only seven districts of the state were covered under the FSM (pulses).

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Gurdial Singh, state director, FSM, said as per an estimate, area under the summer pulses had gone up to 70,000 to 80,000 hectares in the current season, which otherwise had been stagnant at 15,000 to 20,000 hectares for the past few seasons.

The increase is the result of the Punjab Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Act, 2009, as farmers are no more allowed to transplant paddy in the fields before June 10.

“Farmers can either leave their fields uncultivated or sow crops of a short duration which can be harvested before June. In such conditions, pulses are the best option for farmers which, besides good remuneration, enhance the fertility of the soil due to their rich nitrogen content,” added Dr Gurdial. He said the department was all set to establish clusters of big farms to provide facilities available under the mission in bulk to the farmer. One such cluster of 1,000 hectares, near Jagraon, was in the final stages, he said.

“We have requested the department concerned of Punjab Agricultural University to develop such varieties of pulses which can withstand a few showers during April and June,” he added.

Under the mission, 100 per cent financial aid is being provided by the Central Government, including the heavy subsidy on seeds and fertilisers. However, some senior officials of the department are of the opinion that unless the government assures the procurement, the inclination of farmers towards sowing pulses would not be long lasting.

“Despite the minimum support price (MSP) for pulses, farmers are not able to sell their produce due to non-existence of a government procurement channel for pulses which will act as a major deterrent in pulse cultivation,” said a senior official.

Amritsar, October 14
The police has nabbed a Bangladeshi family near the Golden Temple for reportedly gaining illegal entry to the country. It has been learnt that they have been held under the Foreigners’ Act on a tip-off received by Galiara police post about their unlawful entry to the country.

They have been identified as Yad Ali, resident of Mehadradi village, Faridpur district in Bangladesh, his wife Assia Begam, two daughters Rabia and Sarfaraj and a 4-year-old son Jakia.

When the E-Division police team enquired about their antecedents they could not give a convincing reply. The foreigners did not possess any passport or visa documents, the police confirmed.

According to SI Lakhbir Singh, SHO of Galiara police station, they have been sitting in the Galiara park. “When we enquired about their identity, they said they were from Bangladesh, but when they could not produce valid passport or any visa documents, we booked them under the Foreigners’ Act. Further proceedings would be initiated later on,” he said.

Batala, October 14
Qadian MLA Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal laid the foundation stone of Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Seva Centre at Talwandi Bharath village, about 20 km from here today. Lodhinangal also inaugurated a computer centre in the village Government Senior Secondary School.

He said the rural population would be provided all the civic amenities on the lines of urban areas and to achieve this goal Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Seva Centres, each costing Rs 10 lakh, would be constructed at the village level and at a cost of Rs 25 lakh at the block level.

Such centres would provide facilities for guaranteed rural jobs under the NREGA and other Central development schemes.

Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Pirthi Chand said that 32 Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Seva Centres were under construction in different villages of the district and Rs 1.28 crore had been disbursed for this purpose. He assured a grant for the renovation of village pond and school ground. — OC

Tarn Taran, October 14
Six motorcycle-borne youths decamped with Rs 37,750 stolen from Jimmi petrol station situated at Marri Nau Abad village, 45 km from here, last night. Police sources said here today that a case under sections 358, 380, 148 and 149 of the IPC was registered at Bhikhiwind police station.

The looters injured all the three salesmen of the filling satation. The injured were identified as Rajbir Singh, Surjit Singh and Lakhwinder Singh.

Rajbir, in his statement to the police, said the looters came to the petrol pump last night when they were sleeping. The looters, by breaking the door of the pump, entered the room where they were sleeping. They injured them with sharp-edged weapons and snatched the keys of the safe.

The looters decamped Rs 37,750 kept in the safe and also took away the mobile phone of Lakhwinder Singh.

The looters had parked their motorcycles at some distance and went toward Chung village side.