Paddy growers in Punjab seek 8-hour power supply
A delegation of farm unions led by Satnam Singh Behru of the Consortium of Indian farmers Association held a meeting with officials of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on Friday. With government promoting direct sowing of rice (DSR), members of the delegation demanded eight-hour power supply, including uninterrupted three-hour supply (7 am to 10 am) for growing paddy nursery. The arrangement should come into force from June 1, they said.
The meeting that went on for two hours was chaired by Director (Distribution) Inderpal Singh. Director (Generation) Harjit Singh and other officials of the power corporation also present there.
DSR is a cultivation method of planting paddy seeds are planted directly into the soil, eliminating the need for nursery growth and transplanting. The DSR process saves 15-20 per cent water, it is said.
