Centre betrayed Punjab farmers: BKU
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 7
The Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) has termed the failure of the Union Government to announce a relief package for Punjab farmers as an act of betrayal. It said a meeting of the state executive would be convened here on October 10 to chalk out a plan of action against this gross injustice.

Talking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, the acting president of the BKU, Mr Manjit Singh Kadian, and the general secretary, Mr Bhupinder Singh Mahesari, said the Centre had provided a relief of Rs 17,000 crore to farmers in four other states. Whereas the worst hit farmers in Punjab were made to wait until a committee set up for deciding relief amount submitted its report.

The BKU leaders pointed out that the farmers in those states, which had been given comprehensive relief, had not suffered that much damage as farmers in Punjab and the number of suicides committed by debt-ridden farmers was also comparatively low. “By ignoring the farmers in Punjab, the government has acted in a discriminatory manner. This step-motherly treatment has demoralised the farmers, who contribute 55 per cent wheat, 45 per cent paddy and 20 per cent cotton to the total agricultural production in the country”.

Making it clear that the farmers in the state would retaliate by launching a mass agitation, Mr Kadian said the so-called committee set up by the government to assess the losses and the debt burden of the farmers in Punjab was nothing but delaying tactics.

The BKU functionaries reiterated their demand for the immediate announcement of support prices of wheat and other forthcoming crops as per the wholesale price index. They said the minimum support price of wheat worked out to be Rs 1,140 per quintal, pulses and oil seeds at Rs 3,300 per quintal and sugar cane at Rs 165 per quintal.

In a note of caution to the government, they said the fiasco of import of wheat should serve as a lesson to the government and it must realise that farming in the food zone of the country, comprising states like Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, needed to be sustained. To achieve this objective, the government ought to ensure remunerative prices of farm produce, free the farmers from debt burden and provide agricultural loans at an interest rate not exceeding 4 per cent in future.

Badal inaugurates B.Ed college
Our Correspondent

Doraha, October 7
Mr Parkash Singh Badal, President, SAD (B) and former Chief Minister of Punjab, today inaugurated B.Ed College of Education at Bhutta.

In his inaugural address, Mr Badal congratulated the management, the Principal, the staff and students of Bhutta College of Engineering and Technology for putting in their best efforts for the promotion of education. Mr Tota Singh, former Education Minister, too focussed on the promotion of education in the rural areas and spreading awareness and technical know-how among the ruralities. He said: “As real India resides in villages, the education of rural children becomes utmost necessary. If villagers receive proper education they have the capability to work wonders.”

The function commenced with the bhog of the akhand path after which the annual function and a freshers’ party was arranged. A cultural extravaganza comprising songs, dances and skits, marked the occasion. Narean Kapur was declared Mr Fresher and Jagdeep Kaur Miss Fresher. Prizes were awarded to the position holders in the field of academics.

From Schools & Colleges
IICE holds annual function
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 7
IICE Computer Education , Ludhiana, celebrated its sixth annual function, Challange-2006, at Nehru Sidhant Kender here today. Mr Darshan Singh, DPRO ,was the chief guest at the function. Various competition were held that included dance, singing, quiz skit and choreography. Students of all IICE institutes all over Punjab participated in these competitions.

The Regional Director, Mr Barinder Singh, and the Zonal Director, Mr Sharad Kamra, appreciated the performance of the computer institute. The programme was conducted by Gulshan and assisted by Harpreet Kaur, Ravneet Kaur and Sukhbir Kaur.

Results are as follows — Solo dance competition: Rubina, (first), Harpreet Singh (second) and Sandeep Singh (third)

Skit competition: “Amway Shamway” skit by the IICE Machiwara (first) , ‘Kudrat De Sab Bande” skit by IICE Samrala, (second), ‘Bhand’ a skit by the IICE , Haibowal, Ludhiana-(third).

Quiz competition: IICE, Haibowal (first) IICE, Khamano (second), IICE, Machiwara (third).

Creative skills showcased

An exhibition ‘Creations -2006’, depicting the creative skill of students in various fields —arts, science’ and mathematics — was held at Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Daad, Pakhowal road, here today.

Students from nursery to classes IX participated in the exhibition .More than 400 creations depicting various aspects of human life and its development were showcased.The exhibition was divided into various sections — pure science, social science, environmental science, art and craft.

The exhibition was inaugurated by the Principal, Ms Manjeet Kaur, she appreciated the efforts of the schoolchildren.

Class VIII student does school proud
Our Correspondent

Doraha, October 7
Harmit Singh, a Class VIII student of Government High School, Rampur, has made his institution proud by standing first in the district science exhibition organised at the elementary level at GGN Public School, Ludhiana, from October 4 to 6.

Ms Gurdeep Kaur, Headmistress of the school, congratulated school science mistress Raj Rani, whose efforts bore fruit and enabled Harmit to win first position for the school.

Harmit faced tough competition from the rural as well as urban schools of the city but it was his unique working model that made him win the first prize.

Harmit will now represent Ludhiana in the state-level exhibition to be organised shortly.

He was felicitated by his school for his achievement.