AGRICULTURE

PDS wheat being sold on the open market
Our Correspondent

Machhiwara, June 6
Wheat meant for sale at subsidised rates to the persons living below the poverty line in the area is being sold on the open market at high rates.

According to sources, the quota of wheat released for this area by the Food and Supplies Department, Punjab, is 545 quintal for every two months. The wheat is supplied to depot holders at the rate of Rs 426 per quintal and the selling price is fixed at Rs 427 per quintal. The quantity of wheat to be provided per head is 17 kg per month. The sources revealed that out of the total quantity released up to March only half of the quota was actually provided to the needy persons. Rest of the wheat was sold to various flour mills.

The people from the BPL category have demanded a probe into the matter, and have stressed the need for proper distribution of wheat.

EDUCATION

Rs 40 crore for schools: Atwal
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 6
The Punjab government would be spending Rs 40 crore for renovating school buildings, repairing furniture and providing other infrastructure in the government schools of the state. This was stated by Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, at a school function held at Machhian Kalan village, 30 km from the city. 

The primary school of the village was upgraded as a middle school. Mr Atwal announced that more than 1,404 schools had been upgraded in the past four years. Mr Atwal said that 8,000 posts of government school teachers which have been lying vacant for the past more than three years would be filled in the current session. 

COURTS

Lawyers’ strike
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 6
The Ludhiana Bar Association has decided to participate in the strike by lawyers all over the state on June 7, to express solidarity with the lawyers of Sangrur who were subjected to a lathi charge by the police when they were holding a peaceful demonstration with regard to the foundation-laying ceremony for the lawyer’s chambers at the Judicial Complex.

Mr Rajiv Duggal, Secretary Bar Association, Ludhiana, said here today that a protest rally would be held at Sangrur in accordance with the decision of all the presidents of the Bar Association of Punjab.

Meanwhile, there has been lot of resentment among the litigants who have had to face several adjournments and delays in their cases due to holidays and strikes. The district courts will remain closed for a month from June 15 owing to summer vacations.