BAHAWALPUR, March 26: Justice Sheikh Hakim Ali of the Lahore High Court, Bahawalpur Bench, has directed the Punjab education secretary and chairman, and boards of intermediate and secondary education committee to remove disparity in the question papers of the intermediate annual examinations, 2004 , of the Punjab boards and the federal board.

The court issued the directive on a joint writ petition of two first-year FSc (pre-medical) students - Ms Anam Ali Bhatti and Ms Sehrish Ghaffar of St Dominican Convent School, Bahawalpur.

The petitioners through their counsel Chaudhry Abdul Sattar contended that the model papers of the federal board and those of the Punjab boards showed clear disparity, as the former offered ample choice to the candidates. They said the candidates appearing from the federal board would have an edge due to this disparity.

They said the candidates of all the boards would have to compete for professional college admissions through their scores, requesting the court to save them from discrimination.

Accepting their plea, the judge directed the respondents to remove disparity in the question papers of the intermediate examination schedule to be held on April 24, 2004.

AGRICULTURAL LOANS: The State Bank of Pakistan has simplified the procedure for extending agriculture loans to the farmers by eliminating the role of middlemen in all the banks.

This was stated by SBP Agriculture Credit Department (Karachi) Director Syed Ishtiaq Ali and SBP chief manager (Bahawalpur) Muhammad Hashim at the inaugural session of a three-day training programme on agricultural credit here on Friday.

They said the SBP had now authorized 14 private banks, in addition to five leading commercial banks and the ADBP to advance the agricultural loans to the farmers.

They said the applications forms were available in all the banks. The applicants could get loans through their pass books and other 149 articles, including jewellery. Even on the two personal sureties of Rs100,000 loans could be advanced, they added.

ELECTIONEERING: Canvassing for the contestants of the union council bypolls concluded here on Friday. The returning officer and the deputy election commissioner have completed arrangements to hold the polling tomorrow (Sunday). The district police officer has made arrangements for proper security on the polling day.