Punjab: Paddy sowing to begin from June 1, says Mann

To avoid complications faced by farmers in selling paddy due to high moisture content in October, the state government has decided to advance its sowing from June 1. This was stated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann here on Saturday.

Zone-wise cultivation of paddy would be ensured across the state for which necessary planning and arrangements were being made by the government, he added. The state government was duty-bound to check the sale of spurious seeds, so no one involved in the illegal activity would be spared, Mann added.

The CM was talking to the media at the parent-teacher meeting (PTM) held at the School of Eminence at Ghanauri Kalan village (near Dhuri). Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also accompanied Mann on the occasion.

Mann said senior IAS and IPS officers of the state would act as mentors of government school students to provide them necessary guidance for excelling in life. IAS, IPS officers would mentor one government school each in the state, he added.

The officers would prepare students for competitive exams, besides ensuring training to teachers for upgrading their skills.

The CM said the Punjab Government had given a major boost to the education sector by allocating 11 per cent of the state’s total budget expenditure to it, amounting to Rs 18,047 crore.

Sisodia lauded the state government for effecting revolutionary changes in the education sector. He said the schools in the state had got a complete facelift, reflecting the education revolution in Punjab.