CHANDIGARH (Reuters) - Alarmed at the sharp fall in water table, the Punjab government has planned to take tough measures against farmers sowing early paddy. "Fields of all farmers, who sow early paddy, will be ploughed and a penalty of 10,000 rupees each will be imposed," said Sucha Singh Langah, the state farm minister.
Due to depleting ground water, the state government has announced that farmers will not be allowed to transplant paddy before June 15. Early sowing of paddy is one of the main reasons for receding of water table in Punjab, scientists said. More >>>
