CM Mann announces zone-wise cultivation of paddy from June 1

As part of the “direct” dialogue with farmers, a “Kisan Milni” function was held at Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) here in which Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann interacted with farmers.

The ruling government had invited about 50 farmers from each district to take part in this “Sarkar-Kisan milni”, aimed at discussing groundwater by promoting less water consuming varieties of paddy.

Meanwhile, the CM, while addressing the gathering of the farmers, reiterated the commitment of the state government to save groundwater for coming generations by announcing to start the zone-wise cultivation of paddy from June 1. “We have divided the state into three zones and the cultivation of paddy will start in the district falling in three zones on June 1, June 5 and June 9,” said the CM while addressing the gathering during Sarkar Kisan Milni here today.

The CM said Punjab was the food bowl of the country as it contributed 45% of grains in the national food pool. However, he bemoaned that in 70 days of the paddy season, Punjab pumps out water equal to nine Gobind Sagar lakes, which was a huge quantity. Mann said by pumping out so much water, we would deprive our coming generations of water which is the basic ingredient of existence.

Meanwhile, the “milni” was described as a public relations exercise by the government and an eyewash by many farmer union leaders. The leaders maintained that the farmers, truly representing the community, had not been called by the government as it knew that it would stand exposed in the matter.

Talking to The Tribune, Prem Singh Bhangu, president, All India Kisan Federation from Patiala, said they had invited members of the Farmer Club, who would never counter them on various issues. “There is no invite to the SKM because it doesn’t suit the government. The government is not serious about the farmers and this kind of ‘milni’ should not be taken seriously,” said Bhangu.

Punjab