Amritsar district admn to provide all possible support to farmers for sowing next crop

The district administration has made comprehensive arrangements to assist farmers in sowing the next crop without resorting to stubble burning during the upcoming paddy season.

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney has entrusted the Agriculture, Pollution Control, Mandi Board and Cooperation Departments with the responsibility of implementing this campaign.

These departments, working in coordination, will provide the required machinery and technical guidance to farmers for preparing their fields after paddy harvesting. Chairing a meeting with officials of these departments today, Deputy Commissioner Sawhney said farmers bringing paddy to any mandi of the district will be contacted over phone to ascertain their requirements for stubble management machinery. Based on their needs, the details will be passed on immediately to the Agriculture Department.

The department nodal officers, at the block level, will ensure timely arrangement of machinery for farmers.

She further said a dedicated call centre has been set up for contacting farmers, supported by government staff and volunteers from Khalsa College.

On the occasion, Agriculture Officer Dr Raman Kumar said nodal officers have been appointed in all nine blocks of the district. The district administration has also imposed a complete ban on the burning of paddy stubble.

Rohit Gupta, Additional District Magistrate, exercising powers under Section 163 of the Indian Citizens Protection Act, 2023, stated that stubble burning is harmful both for farmers and the nation’s agricultural productivity. To prevent stubble burning, it has been made mandatory to use SMS/Super SMS machines with combine harvesters in areas where baling is not being carried out. This order has been issued in the interest of public welfare and will remain in force from 15 September to 14 November.