Tips for dairy and poultry farmers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 8
Veterinary experts of Punjab Agricultural University have advised the dairy farmers to protect their animals from cold winds.

According to experts, newborn calves need special care in cold weather. They are susceptible to pneumonia and large number of them die due to this disease. Keep them warm by providing clean and dry bedding. Give them one ml of vitamin ‘A’ concentrate daily in milk for three days to be repeated after a month. De-worming should be done in calves, especially against ascariasis, malap, with piperazine liquid 4 ml per 10 kg. Sore or chapped teats should be treated with teat dips after every milking.

The farmers have also been advised to get their animals vaccinated against foot and mouth disease. The vaccination should be repeated after six months or a year as required. The animals should be fed chaffed ‘berseem’ mixed with wheat straw to avoid tympani. Do not feed ‘parali’ (rice straw) alone to the animals.

In order to save poultry birds from cold, curtains should be provided at windows in poultry sheds. Make necessary arrangements for keeping the shed warm inside. For the first week, temperature inside the shed should be from 90°F to 95°F. Feed should have more energy. Increase cereals by 5 to 8 per cent in the ration and reduce rice bran.

Penalised for non-payment
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 8
In an ex parte order, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed Bachan Auto Hire Purchase Private Limited, Diamond Complex, Ludhiana, to pay Rs 15,000 as principal along with Rs 7,350 as interest on the fixed deposit by Mr Inderpal Singh, a resident of Vishwakarma Colony. The forum has also directed the company to pay interest on the principal amount at the rate of 18 per cent from December 10, 2000, till actual payment along with Rs 500 as cost of litigation to the consumer.

According to the complaint, the consumer had deposited Rs 15,000 through fixed deposit receipt no. 2031 on June 10, 1997, with the respondent on which interest at the rate of 14 per cent per annum was payable. The representative of the complainant, Mr S.S. Sarna stated before the forum that deposited amount was payable along with interest at maturity on December 10, 2000. But when the consumer demanded his due amount on maturity, he was refused by the respondent to pay the amount, he added. It was alleged that instead of paying the due amount, the consumer was asked not to visit the office of the respondent for demanding the said amount.

Mr Sarna disclosed, “Rs 15,000 as principal amount and Rs 7,350 on account of interest on the said amount interest is due till date.” He demanded from the forum to direct the respondent to pay the said amount.

The forum observed that Rs 15,000 was deposited by the consumer on which interest at the rate of 14 per cent was payable, but the opposite party did not pay the same. The forum held that it was clear deficiency on part of the respondent for not paying the due amount in time.