AGRICULTURE

Vaccinate animals, farmers told
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 11
The foot-and-mouth disease, which is taking an epidemic form in the state, is preventable if proper precautions are taken, according to Punjab Agricultural University experts.

Some of the farm scientists said they had been advising farmers to get their animals vaccinated. This had become more relevant in the wake of changing weather and the increased incidence of FMD during the past few days.

The experts said if the owners had not vaccinated their cattle, they should go in for it immediately and keep a record of the vaccination as it had to be repeated every six months or an year, depending upon the make and kind of vaccination. The experts also advised vaccination for ghal ghotu or haemorrhagic septicemia.

According to the experts, FMD was an acute and communicable disease. It was characterised by vesicular eruptions in mouth, feet and udder. It was caused by an ultramicroscopic virus.

Poultry farmers were being advised to change water more frequently so that the birds could get cool water. The poultry shed, if whitewashed from outside, reflected sun rays and kept heat at bay. The artificial lights could be provided during early hours so that the birds could feed during cooler hours.

EDUCATION

Prize distribution
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 11
Nearly 100 students of Government Polytechnic for Women, Rishi Nagar, received prizes for their achievements in academics, sports and cultural activities at the third annual function held here today.

Students securing top three positions in various diploma courses were given prizes. Hemlata, Deepa and Kiranjot received prizes for securing first, second and third positions, respectively, in Modern Office Practice course. Vandana, Amandeep and Parminder, who had secured the top three ranks in Garment Manufacturing Technology course also received prizes. Ritika, Nitu and Nidisha received prizes for standing first, second and third positions, respectively, in Diploma in Electrical and Communication Engineering.

COURTS

Forum fines HDFC Bank
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 11
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed HDFC Bank to pay Rs 1,000 as compensation on account of deficiency in services along with Rs 500 as cost of litigation to Mr Nitin Goyal. In an ex-party judgement, the forum directed the bank to give credit to the consumer regarding balance amount of Rs 2,000.

According to the complaint, Mr Goyal, a resident of Civil Lines, is having a saving account in the branch of the bank at Fountain Chowk, Civil Lines. The complainant stated before the forum that he deposited Rs 4,000 in his account on April 19, 2000. He stated that when he received the statement of account, he was surprised to know that instead of Rs 4,000, the bank had credited Rs 2,000 in his account. When he protested against the wrong entry he was told that the clerk who was dealing had resigned and he would go to her home to get Rs 2,000. However, the opposite party did not appear before the forum. The forum observed that the consumer had deposited Rs 4,000 in his account and according to the bank pass book the opposite party had not given the credit of Rs 2,000.

The forum held that there was clear deficiency on the part of the bank as it did not give the credit of the full amount and accordingly the forum directed the respondent to pay compensation for that.