Administration bans harvesting paddy with combine between 6 pm & 10 am
Additional District Magistrate Isha Singhal, exercising the powers conferred under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Protection Code, 2023, issued orders banning the use of combines for paddy harvesting from 6 pm to 10 am in the district.
It has generally been observed that combines operate round the clock for harvesting paddy. During nighttime, these combines cut green paddy that has not fully matured, meaning unripe grains are harvested.
When this green paddy dries, it turns black. Additionally, if combines operate early in the morning, the moisture content in the paddy is significantly high. When this moist paddy is brought to markets for sale, the purchasing agencies refuse to buy it due to moisture levels exceeding the permissible limit. As a result, unsold paddy piles up in the markets.
Besides, combine operations at night cause air pollution. They generally have no reflectors also which leads to accidents in the dark.
Moreover, many old combines are still in use which affects the quality paddy. This causes hesitation among purchasing agencies to buy the crop. The delay in selling the paddy leads to frustration among farmers, which can potentially threaten law and order.
The Additional District Magistrate has instructed combine owners in the district to not operate these without installing a Super SMS system.
The Agriculture Department has been directed to inspect the operation of the harvest combines. Patiala Chief Agriculture Officer has been asked to take necessary steps to enforce these orders. These orders will remain in effect in the district until November 25.
