Neel Kamal

Bathinda: Despite opposition from agricultural scientists and petition filed in the National Green Tribunal, the Punjab govt has issued a notification advancing the paddy transplantation schedule. The transplantation will now begin in a staggered manner from June 1, while direct seeding of rice (DSR) is permitted across the state from May 15 to May 31.

The official notification, issued by the agriculture department under the Punjab Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Act, 2009, outlines the schedule as follows:
June 1 for Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Fazilka;
June 5 for Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur;
June 9 for Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

Several renowned agricultural experts, including Dr S S Johl, Dr G S Khush, Dr Rattan Lal, and Dr B S Dhillon, have criticised the decision, warning of environmental consequences, particularly on the state’s already depleting groundwater levels.

Advocate Hari Chand Arora has filed a petition with the NGT against the state’s move. The tribunal has registered the petition, which is expected to be heard soon.

Adding to the concerns, the Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority (PWRDA) had, on April 7, recommended delaying the paddy transplantation. It also formed a research committee headed by Dr Dhillon, which consulted with leading institutions including PAU, IARI, and ICAR bodies. The committee’s interim report strongly recommended aligning paddy transplanting with the monsoon, suggesting June 30 as the ideal start date, and June 23 as a first step toward that adjustment.

Former agriculture secretary Kahan Singh Pannu stated that despite the scientific advice, the govt’s insistence on early transplantation is a “painful” step that could hasten Punjab’s march toward desertification.

Published Date: April 25, 2025