The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Mozambique minister visits PAU
Tribune News Service

Dr Leonardo Santos Simao, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mozambique, being honoured by the Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, in Ludhiana on Wednesday. — Photo Pradeep Tewari

Ludhiana, January 8
Dr Leonardo Santos Simao, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mozambique, visited Punjab Agricultural University and held discussions with Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of the varsity, here this afternoon. He was accompanied by Mr Carlos Agostinho do Rosario, High Commissioner of the Republic of Mozambique in India.

Also present on the occasion were Dr G.S. Nanda, Director of Research, Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, Director of Extension Education, Dr V.K. Sharma, Registrar, and Dr (Ms) S.K. Mann, Dean, College of Home Science.

The minister was apprised of the possibilities of mutual collaboration in agricultural research and development between the two countries. Special focus of the discussion was the cultivation of wheat and rice for which Punjab is known both at national and international levels.

Dr Aulakh offered the visitors an exchange programme whereby the students and faculty from both countries can visit each other’s countries for exchange of knowledge and technology.

In an informal interaction with mediapersons later on, the minister said India and Mozambique had shared close relations for the past 600 years. He said the Portuguese teaching system dominated the education system in their country. That system was more theoretical and lacked on practical aspects, he said.

His visit aimed at exploring the possibility of mutual cooperation, thereby strengthening the human resource in their country. He hoped that training of students and faculty from Mozambique would give them better a practical experience that would result in an increase in foodgrain production in the coming years.

The delegation showed keen interest in the improved varieties of rice, wheat and other crops and in dairy farming during their visit to the experimental farms of the university.

Dr Simao appreciated the research work of the university and its rapport with farmers.

Decorated towns watch nagar kirtan
Our Correspondent

Doraha, January 8
A ‘nagar kirtan’ was organised here today by Dashmesh Jatha of Doraha on the eve of the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh. The procession was led by Panj Pyare and followed by horses, elephants, camels and students of the Arya Nagar Guru Nanak Model Senior Secondary School and Dashmesh School.

The procession received a warm welcome everywhere, as it crossed the main bazar of Doraha. Mr Jagjiwan Pal Singh Gill, an activist of the Shiromani Akali Dal; Mr Inderjit Singh Kala, president of Dashmesh Charitable Hospital; and Mr Bhupinder Singh Oberoi were part of the procession that began from Gurdwara Singh Sabha and ended there after covering parts of the town.

At Sahnewal, the procession began from Gurdwara Shri Reru Sahib. A decorated vehicle carried the holy book through the town. The procession was led by Panj Pyare and followed by a herd of decorated animals.

A long queue of vehicles, a band party, a ‘gataka’ party, students of 18 schools and a number of devotees were part of the procession. The ragi jatha of Baba Ajmer Singh ‘Phull’ presented hymns.

The procession was received by representatives of various social and religious organisations, who also served food at a common kitchen. The town wore a bridal look, as the procession crossed the main market.

Mid-day meals raise school attendance
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 8
The mid-day meal scheme in government primary schools in the district has increased attendance in schools by 30 per cent.. The scheme of providing mid-day meals started on October 8 last year. The scheme has motivated parents to send their wards to the school more regularly.

The pilot project was launched in Ludhiana 1 Block and implemented in more than 60 government schools falling under 69 villages of the block. The students are provided with cooked meal which costs the government Rs 3.50 per child per day. Mid-day meal has provided a huge incentive for the parents to send their wards to schools and students too enjoy coming to school as they get food to eat.

Teachers of government schools are happy that the attendance has risen.

COURTS

Bhatejas get anticipatory bail
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 8
A local court has granted anticipatory bail to Pardeep Bhateja and his wife Asha Bhateja, managing director and director of M/s Bhateja Spinner Pvt Ltd, accused of committing a fraud on the government. The court has also granted anticipatory bail to Beant Singh, Karamjit Singh, Balwinder Singh and Kuldeep Singh in the same case.

Granting the bail, Mr S.M.S. Mahal, Additional Sessions Judge, stated, “I am of the considered opinion that the custodial interrogation of the applicants is not necessary and grant of anticipatory bail will not hamper the investigation of the case in any manner. Custodial interrogation is meant to assist the investigation officer to collect the evidence and not to cause humiliation to innocent persons.’’

According to the prosecution, Bhateja took a loan of Rs 71,32,000 from the Punjab Financial Corporation (PFC) for the building and installation of new machinery. The Deputy Commissioner conducted an inquiry on the basis of a complaint and found that he had duped the PFC by submitting false and fabricated bills of old machinery, showing it to be new machinery.

The defence counsel had pleaded that his client had returned a huge loan amount. He had also produced a statement of accounts, showing that the gross outturn to the company was Rs 90,28,115 on March 31,2001, and profit of Rs 8,34,850 was shown. Income tax of Rs 90,000 was paid.

Thereafter, the court held the all circumstances were indicative of the fact that the business of the company was actually being run irrespective of the fact that machinery installed was old or new. So far, no complaint had been lodged by the PFC regarding any fraud committed against it or non-return of the liability. The remedy under the PFC Act was also provided for declaring a loanee as defaulter and proceeding against him.