Langah warns of strict action against early paddy sowers

Moga, Feb 23 (UNI) Punjab Agriculture minister Sucha Singh Langah has warned of punitive actions against farmers indulging in early sowing of paddy in the state.

''The government would be forced to plough the fields of farmers who are found sowing paddy before June 15,'' the agriculture minister said while addressing farmers gathered here from across the state on the concluding day of three-day 'Kheti Chetna Manch' at Daroli Bhai village of the district yesterday.

Mr Langah also said that the state government had decided to slap a fine of Rs 10,000 on such farmers.

Minister also stated that it was for the first time that such a function was held to educate and motivate the farmers at their doorstep against the Mealy Bug attack on cotton crops and its control, declining of underground water table need of soil testing, right use of fertilizers, insecticides and weedicides.

The agriculture minister also stated that the government has constituted district level committees under the chairmanship of respective deputy commissioner, with the involvement of educational institutions, NGOs and village panchayats to educate the farmers against mealy bug menace and keeping the villages and cities clean of unwanted shrubs and grass.

UNI XC JN VN1723