Paddy transplantation from June 15 in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government today said paddy transplantation by farmers would be allowed from June 15 in the state in order to save underground water resources.

No farmer would transplant non-basmati variety of paddy before June 15 and Basmati variety of paddy before July 5, an official spokesman said here.

The state Agriculture Department has issued notification in this regard on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he said.

Last year, paddy transplantation was allowed from June 10.

The spokesperson further said the Chief Minister had asked the Financial Commissioner Development (FCD) to direct all the field officers across the state to ensure the implementation of the order in letter and spirit.

Punjab government had passed the Punjab Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Act in 2009 under which for the first time, the date of transplantation of paddy was fixed as June 10 to save water in the state.

He said the declining rate of underground water in the Punjab has been controlled after passing this legislation, which mandated not to transplant paddy before June 10 and now further delay of five days would help in saving the precious ground water.