More farmers face action for early transplantation

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 18

To check the depleting water table under the under "Tandarust Punjab Mission", the Agriculture Department on Monday uprooted more than 4 acres of paddy sown in the district as per the government directives to transplant paddy only after June 20. 

Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Varinder Kumar Sharma said 1 acre paddy of Jaspal Singh in Ismailpur village was ploughed by the Agriculture department and 6 kanals of paddy sown by farmer Kuldip Singh was ploughed in Muhem village. Likewise, he said 10 kanal paddy of Swaran Singh in Bhatnura village, 5 kanal paddy of Harwinder Singh in Lubana village and 4 kanal paddy of Ravinder Singh in Bhatnura Lubana village were ploughed on the orders of Assistant Agriculture Officer Gurbhagat Singh. Sharma said the drive against the erring farmers would continue till June 20. 

The DC said the paddy has been ploughed at the cost of the farmer, as per provisions of the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009 for transplanting paddy ahead of the official date. He said the sole motive of this campaign was to ensure that precious water of the state was saved. 

Chief Agriculture Officer Dr BS Cheena said the Agriculture Department would not allow any transplantation of paddy to take place before June 20.