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| Thursday, November 22, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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“Cotton morcha” launched by BKU Ludhiana, November 21 This was stated by Mr Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, president, BKU, while talking to mediapersons here today. The BKU secretary general, Mr Manjot Singh Kadian, and the general secretary (Press), Mr Bhupinder Singh Mahesari, were also present on the occasion. According to Mr Lakhowal, the BKU vice-president, Mr Baldev Singh Barkandi, had been nominated the first dictator for the morcha. BKU activists had joined the indefinite dharna being staged by affected farmers at the Agriculture Office, Abohar, while farmers from the adjoining districts of Mansa, Muktsar and Bathinda would join the protest on November 22. ‘Jathas’ of cotton growers from other districts, including Faridkot and Sangrur (on November 23), Ferozepore and Moga (on November 26) and Patiala, Ropar and Fatehgarh Sahib (on November 29) would sit on dharna to draw the attention of the government towards the pathetic condition of farmers, he said. He reiterated the demand for a minimum compensation of Rs 15,000 per hectare for loss of cotton crop, remission of all loans of farmers, labourers and rural artisans and stern action against employees and officials of the Agriculture Department, who were allegedly responsible for sale and distribution of spurious and sub-standard farm chemicals, which caused damage to cotton crop. He said it was unfortunate that despite conducive weather conditions, rampant corruption prevalent in the Agriculture Department had resulted in ruination of cotton growers, while the government, which claimed to champion the cause of farmers, was watching the situation like a mute spectator. Elaborating the gravity of situation, Mr Lakhowal claimed that more than 60 per cent cotton growers had suffered extensive crop losses, with some of them losing the entire crop. He further said the state executive of the BKU would meet at Abohar on November 29 to take stock of the situation and chalk out strategy for an agitation if the government failed to respond positively by that time. The BKU president lamented that rather than extending a helping hand to the farmers, the government and bank officials were harassing them for recovery of loans in spite of the government decision of deferring the repayment of laons for three years. He cautioned against initiating any recovery proceedings in the cotton belt. Mr Lakhowal called for effective measures against distress sale of cotton and dumping of imported cotton, which had led to a crash in prices in the domestic market. He criticised the government for its failure to impose anti-dumping duty on cotton, which was permissible under the WTO provisions. The BKU also issued a veiled threat to senior functionaries of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal that the farmers might decide to oppose them in the coming Assembly elections if the government failed to come to the rescue of farmers.
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Programme
on IPM Ludhiana, November 21 In the inaugural session of the programme, Dr M.S. Tiwana, Dean, College of Agriculture, emphasised the need for implementation of Integrated Pest Management programme on a large scale in different cropping systems of the state. Dr Darshan Singh, Additional Director Research (Agriculture), while speaking on the ocassion, expressed the need to sustain the already declining crop productivity to meet the needs of the growing population of the country. He said that in our country, with more than 60 million tonne of food grain stocks lying in godowns and open storage conditions , more than 30 million of the population was unfed, undernourished and did not have access to two square meals a day. Over the years, on the account of the extensive uses of input subsidies like fertilisers, pesticides and seeds, production of crops had become costly.
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Foul play in selection of school lecturers alleged Ludhiana, November 21 According to information available here from some candidates, who do not wish to reveal their identity fearing harassment by the education department as they are still working as school teachers in the government high schools, the selection committee comprising Circle Officer, an NCC officer, one subject expert and a representative of the education department, had called about 300 candidates for the interview at Jalandhar on the basis of their academic performance and professional experience. Interestingly, the candidates were asked simple questions in the interview such as “What are you doing at present? Why have you opted for Punjabi as a subject for teaching? Who is your favourite poet, poem or books?’’ The interview, having 15 marks, had lasted for just a couple of minutes in each case and almost all of the candidates were able to answer these simple questions. It is learnt that under the selection process of general category candidates, the committee had evolved a formula of preparing a cut list on the basis of academic performance (for instance a candidate getting 60 per cent marks in MA would get 60 x 35/100 = 21 marks) Similarly they were granted marks for the marks secured in B.Ed and up to five marks for professional experience, one mark for each year experience. As many as 145 candidates were interviewed according to their rank in the merit list, starting from roll number 216. The candidates from roll number 101 to 215 were called from the reserved category. The candidates alleged that the applicants, who had got up to 67 per cent marks in MA, securing a place in the university merit list or a gold medal (Roll No 219, 222, 224, 226, 230, 245 and 295) were granted just 3-6 marks in the interview as compared to 12-14 marks to the candidates, whose rank was much lower in the merit list ( Roll No 310, 313, 316, 317, 319). To the dismay of highly qualified candidates, the persons with poor academic performance, with shorter professional experience were selected by the committee. These candidates have asked the Education Minister, Mr Tota Singh, and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to order an inquiry into this selection scam. They alleged that the committee had made selections under political pressure and by taking bribes worth lakhs of rupees from these candidates. The aggrieved candidates have called a state level meeting on November 24 to be held at Chattar Singh Park at 10 AM to chalk out the course of action. Some candidates have already decided to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court to seek the cancellation of these selections.
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School holds
annual function Samrala, November 21 The function started with a prayer, ‘Deh Shiva War Mohe’. The tiny tots gave a musical welcome to the guest and also presented a play conveying the feelings of those animals who are mistreated after they have outlived their utility. The Garhwali dance was well applauded. Hindi play, ‘Vijay Parv’, and Shakespeare’s play, ‘Julius Caesar’ were staged. In addition, puppet show, skits, qawalis, bhangra, giddha and ghazls were also presented which were appreciated by the audience.
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Forum penalises PSEB
for deficiency Ludhiana, November 21 The forum has also directed the PSEB to modify the demand according to the rates applicable to for the period of electricity consumption concerned and to refund the excess amount charged with interest at the rate of 12 per cent from the date of deposit till the date of actual payment. The PSEB has also been directed to pay Rs 500 as cost of litigation to the consumer. According to the complaint, the PSEB had demanded Rs 16,250 from the consumer. The complainant had stated before the forum that though he had deposited the bills for November, 2000, and January, 2001, in time, the PSEB had raised an illegal demand of Rs 16,250 on account of surcharge. He had pointed out that the condition of meter was mentioned as ‘O’ in the bill issued in March, 2001, and as such, the PSEB had no right to charge the said amount. The consumer had stated that he had approached PSEB officials and had asked them to withdraw the said demand, but nothing substantial had been done. He had alleged that the demand had been illegally and wrongly raised by the PSEB and the same was liable to be quashed. The PSEB had pleaded that the said demand had been made on account of current consumption and there had no deficiency in services. The respondent had stated that the meter reading had not been taken due to ‘M’ code and the earlier bill had been issued on locked basis. In March, 2001, the meter reader recorded the reading as 5798 units, whereas the previous reading had been taken as 605 units. It had said as such, there had been a was consumption of 5193 units and of Rs 16,250 was found recoverable, including surcharge. The respondent had stated that the consumer had deposited the bill without protest and the same had not been challenged. It had further stated that the demand had been raised on the basis of actual consumption of energy and there had been no deficiency in services. The respondent had asked the forum to dismiss the complaint. The forum observed that the respondent had stated that demand had been raised on the basis of recording of actual consumption, but there was no proof of this contention. The forum stated that the respondent had not placed any details of the demand and there was no mention on the documents produced that how the demand had been worked out. The forum held that there was clear deficiency in services as the demand had not been rightly worked out. It observed that the consumer had to make the payment under the fear of disconnection. The forum said the demand should be modified as per the specified rates for the said period.
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An artist with a mission Ludhiana, November 21 While the State Education Department has turned its blind eye to the needs of the students taking vocational courses at the school, Jaspreet is helping them by purchasing colours and other painting material for students belonging to financially weaker section. Not only this, he gives free coaching to students at his residence as he believes that school timings are too short for him to impart the skill and calibre to the students. The dynamic artist teaches the students various new techniques, including spray painting, screen printing, logo and letter head preparation and calligraphy, though the latest techniques so that they may start to earn immediately after taking their senior secondary examination. His creativity can easily be assessed from the posters and landscapes exhibited by him and his students from time to time in the school. “Exhibitions not only help in infusing confidence among the students, but also widens their exposure to the demands in the market. They learn the art of setting up exhibitions and writing captions for their creations. Above all, they earn money for the paintings and posters sold at that time, helping them continue to practice the art”, said Mr Jaspreet Mohan Singh with confidence. The art teacher is a winner of the Best Vocational Teacher Award of Punjab in 1998 after being selected by the NCERT. His students outscore other students of the state in the examinations conducted by the Punjab School Education Board every year. He is also a resource person at the fortnight-long painting workshops held for government school teachers at In-service Training Centre at Bharat Nagar. The other activities of the teacher include arranging state-level painting competitions held by Education Departments, holding science fairs and decorating receptions at most of the district and state-level functions held in the city. Jaspreet is best at painting landscapes. He believes that nature presents the true human feelings. Besides, he is also fond of making modern art paintings which he thinks present certain feelings through harmony of colours. The artist first became popular for his painting on AIDS for which he has set a price of $ 4.
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For them, music is meditation Ludhiana, November 21 The young artistes were full of humour and spoke candidly to the media. On the question of the growing popularity of or pop music, Niladari said, “We are neither against pop music, nor do we feel threatened by it, but when we ask them why they are fond of it, they are unable to give an answer. They do not understand the lyrics and do not recognise the instruments being used. If they can give their reasons, we are willing to change to suit their taste. Most youths think that classical music is slow, but we say it is the fastest”. Sandeep said, “I can challenge that if anyone is forcibly made to listen to Indian classical music for 15 minutes only, and then he is given an option to walk out, the person will choose to stay. Classical music is deeply rooted in all of us. It is not getting a proper chance to get exposed”. Niladari said if one started young, by the time he reached his twenties, he would have experience of two or more decades of music. They said music was meditation for them. They felt that rhythm was universal and Indians were lucky that they had the gift of age-old music. Sandeep said he played for different artistes.
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