Expert’s advice on weed control
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 30
Dr Lall Singh Brar, Head, Department of Agronomy and weed control specialist of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has advised the Punjab farmers to administer certain directions regarding the spray of herbicides in wheat crop for the efficient and better control of Gulli Danda (Phalaris minor) and other broad leaf weeds.

New alternative herbicides — namely leader (13g/acre), topik (160 g/acre) and Pumasuper (400ml/acre) — are recommended for the control of Gulli Danda in the fields where isoproturon failed to control it. A uniform spray should be done on clear sunny days using a flat fan nozzle having discharge rate of 100 litres water/acre. These herbicides may be applied 8-10 days after the first irrigation over the second flush of Gulli Danda.

For controlling broad leaf weeds like bathu, maina, khandi etc 2,4-D 250 g/care and against Kandiali palak, Algrip 10g/acre is recommended. These herbicides are to be applied 7-8 days after using herbicides for managing Gulli Danda. Application of any of these herbicides mixed with each other further complicates the weed menace instead of managing them, besides reducing the efficiency of the herbicide itself. Use leader in rice-wheat rotation and topik or pumasuper if a crop other than rice is to be sown in following kharif season. These herbicides should be used in rotation. Leader should never be used in the fields where raya has been intercropped with wheat.

Teachers resent setting up of directorate
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 30
The new education policy, 2002, issued by the Punjab Government which states that the Primary Education Board would give way to an elementary directorate has not been welcomed by primary teachers of Punjab.

This has caused resentment among primary teachers of the state. The result is that the Punjab State Level Primary Teachers Union is on a warpath. Teachers burnt an effigy of the elementary directorate in front of the office of the DPI, Chandigarh, recently. A convention was held in Moga on December 25 to show resentment against the setting up of the directorate. The president of the association and ex-minister, Malti Thapar, also attended the meeting. After listening to the objections by teachers against the new education policy, Dr Malti Thapar said she understood the feelings of teachers and would take their viewpoint before the Education Minister.

Mr Piara Singh Dhilon, president of the association, stated in a press release, that they want a change in the education policy and will continue with the struggle unless suitable changes are brought out. Meanwhile, the new course of the teachers will be decided in Jandiala in Amritsar district on January 5. A delegation will also meet the Education Minister on December 31 and submit a report on the weak points of the policy.

COURTS

Gurdev Badal’s remand extended
Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 30
Ms Anshul Berry, Duty Magistrate, today extended the judicial remand of former Agriculture Minister Gurdev Badal till January 11. He is facing charges of amassing property worth Rs 1.7 crore disproportionate to his known sources of his income.

He has been in judicial custody since December 2. A large number of his supporters, including Mr Sital Singh, MLA, Dharmkot, were present outside the court when he was produced amidst tight security.

He was arrested on November 23 following an FIR (No. 83) registered by the Vigilance Bureau, Patiala, under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Till December 2, he was in police custody.

His bail plea was declined by the Special Judge, Mr Inderjit Kaushik, with the observations: “Investigation is going on and if given concession of bail, the accused being influential person is likely to influence the witnesses and tamper with prosecution evidence”.

Further remand for Tangri
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 30
Shiv Sena Rashtrawadi’s chief Jagdish Tangri’s judicial remand was futher extended for 14-day by a local court. He is in judicial custody in connection with the Gujarat riots.

Duty Magistrate Anshul Berry extended his remand on the request of prosecution. Tangri’s bail application is pending before a court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana, and will come up for hearing on January 3.

The Ludhiana police had booked Tangri in six cases.