Admn steps up efforts to implement agri chores calendar

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 22

The administration is bent on getting the agricultural chores calendar regarding the cultivation of paddy implemented in the region.

Having challaned more than two dozen farmers of the area for burning agricultural wastes in contravention of the rules, the authorities have cautioned against wilful violation of the notification issued by the state government under the Punjab Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Act, 2009, which has fixed May 20 for sowing paddy nursery and June 20 for the transplantation of the paddy crop in the fields.

The government has repeatedly issued notification making paddy sowing before the prescribed date illegal. The move comes in the wake of a proposal mooted by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Punjab Agricultural University, which had shot letters to the state government in January this year to stagger the paddy sowing by 10 days.

Senior functionaries, led by Ahmedgarh Sub-Divisional Magistrate Preety Yadav, have advised the rank and file in the civil administration to make sure that the agricultural chores calendar regarding the cultivation of paddy is implemented in letter and in spirit in the region.

Executive Magistrate Badal Din said revenue officials, supervised by Naib Tehsildar KK Mittal, had been advised to spread awareness about the causes and consequences of violations of the notification regarding the schedule recommended for various chores. Maintaining that more than two dozen farmers were earlier challaned for violating rules regarding the burning of wheat stubble, Mittal said the violation of the notification regarding paddy nursery and transplantation had also been declared illegal.

Appreciating the efforts by office-bearers and activists of certain social organisations in spreading awareness, the official said the administration would adopt carrot and stick policy regarding the issue.