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Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Paddy transplanted in 1.75 lakh hectares so far — a 4-fold jump from last year
Paddy transplantation in Punjab has gained momentum, with official data showing nearly 1.75 lakh hectares covered by June 10 — more than fourfold of 40,000 hectares recorded in the consecutive period last year, indicating a substantial shift in the sowing patterns driven largely by a change in the state government's policy. On the contrary, agricultural experts and officials of the Punjab Agriculture Department have raised serious concerns over the implications of this policy, particularly due to the predominance of long-duration paddy varieties like Pusa-44 and Peeli Pusa in the early sowing phase, as these varieties typically require nearly 160 days from nursery to harvest and are known to be highly water-intensive. Also, these varieties are not recommended for sowing in Punjab. The early surge is attributed to the Punjab government's decision to advance official paddy transplantation date — from earlier June 10 or around mid-June to June 1 this year — aimed at reducing the moisture level in the crop at the time of harvesting in October. Groundwater concerns amid heatwave 'The early sowing of long-duration varieties under heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 44°C in several parts of the state, is problematic,' a senior officer of the Punjab Agriculture Department told The Indian Express. 'High temperatures evaporate water fast. As these varieties require frequent irrigation, especially in the initial 4-5 weeks, maintaining 2-3 inches of standing water is essential for the growth of paddy under the puddled transplanting system.' The ban on cultivating Pusa-44, previously imposed due to its high-water consumption and contribution to stubble burning, appears to have been ignored by a considerable number of farmers, facilitated by the earlier transplanting window. This has further aggravated groundwater depletion concerns, particularly in central and southern Punjab, already categorised as 'over-exploited zones' by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). Sharing his experience, Jaspal Singh, a farmer from Patiala, said, 'Out of 10 acres, I've transplanted Pusa-44 on five acres. I began in the first week of June, and the crop would be ready by around October 15. It's a long-duration crop, but I prefer it because it gives a good yield and I can manage it better when sown earlier.' 'On the remaining five acres, I am planning to sow short and mid-duration varieties, which take around 120 to 140 days, including nursery time. These varieties are generally less water-intensive and align better with environmental recommendations, but give less yield than Pusa-44,' Jaspal added. Electricity demands spiked The early and widespread transplantation, on the other hand, has spiked electricity demand, as irrigation requirements soar, across the state. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has recently recorded a record-breaking power consumption triggered by agricultural load in some parts. Officials anticipate continued pressure on the grid amid mercury rising and intensified paddy transplantation. The Punjab Agriculture Department, which is closely monitoring the situation, has reiterated its advisory for staggered sowing to help balance water and electricity usage. Experts also encourage the use of short-duration and water-efficient paddy varieties, which reduce the crop cycle to around 120-130 days and are less taxing on groundwater. In light of the ongoing climate crisis, growing energy demand and critical groundwater depletion, environmentalists and agronomists emphasise the need for urgent crop diversification and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. 'We are trying our best to convince farmers to do away with long-duration paddy varieties because the consequence they face in terms of boring their tubewells deeper into the ground every few years,' Punjab Agricultural Department Director Jaswant Singh said. 'As the paddy season progresses, the state finds itself standing at a crucial juncture, balancing the economic imperatives of farmers with the environmental sustainability of its agricultural heartland,' another official said.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Security tightened ahead of Op Bluestar anniversary, 4,000 cops to guard Amritsar city
Nearly 4,000 cops will stand guard in the wake of the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6 in Amritsar, officials said. 'Services of all the wings of the police are being taken. Besides, city police, cops from surrounding districts, including Amritsar rural, Batala and Tarn Taran, have been deployed in the city,' an official said, pleading anonymity. The police have already beefed up security in the city, and on Wednesday, a flag march was held with security agencies keeping a tight vigil to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident. Led by ADCP-1 Vishaljit Singh, the flag march started from Hall Gate, passing through the Hall Bazaar, Town Hall and Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar. ACP central Jaspal Singh, station house officers (SHOs) of police station E division and D division along with local police and commandos, participated in the march. 'In addition to this, special 24-hour checkpoints have been established at the city's entry and exit points as well as in internal areas. Thorough checking of vehicles and suspicious individuals is being done at designated nakas (checkpoints),' commissioner of police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said. The walled city of Amritsar, especially surrounding the Golden Temple, is being guarded by the cops in large numbers and frisking of the passersby is being carried out at key points of the roads. Cops in plain clothes along with intelligence agency personnel are also keeping a watch around the holiest Sikh shrine. The Sikh hardliner groups including Dal Khalsa is undertaking a march on June 5 and has called for a complete shutdown in the city on June 6. Meanwhile, akhand paath (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) started at Akal Takht to mark the anniversary falling, in the presence of key SGPC office-bearers. The SGPC, cops and agencies are on their toes as Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma has objected to Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj delivering a sandesh (address) from the platform of the highest Sikh temporal seat.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Acting on Delhi's call, Iran rescues 3 Indians
India collaborated with Iran to secure the release of three Indian citizens allegedly abducted by a Pakistani gang in Tehran. Following diplomatic efforts, the release was announced by the Iranian embassy. Ransom calls from Pakistani numbers raised suspicions of ISI involvement, potentially aiming to portray the kidnapped men as spies. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India worked closely with the Iranian government to secure the release of three Indians who were allegedly abducted by a Pakistani gang from the southern part of Tehran last release of the missing Indians was announced by the Iranian embassy in Delhi late Tuesday night, following hectic diplomatic engagements between India and Iran on the was suspected that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) would have showcased the kidnapped Indians as "spies" working in Pakistan, said people familiar with the families of the three Indians, who went missing in Iran, had received ransom calls from Pakistani phone numbers, raising suspicion of ISI's hand in the incident, ET had reported last three Indians, who went missing in Iran on May 1 after landing in Tehran, were identified as Hushanpreet Singh, from Punjab's Sangrur district, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Amritpal Singh, from Hoshiarpur agent in Punjab had promised the three men to send them to Australia via the Dubai-Iran route. The Indian government is also probing whether the agent had any links with the Pakistan government, according to the people. The agent from Hoshiarpur who sent the men to Iran is reportedly missing."Family members of 3 Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities, and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured," the Indian Embassy in Iran had recently said in a Iran urged Indians to apply caution while travelling to other countries and not fall prey to illegal agencies. This is the second case of Indians who went missing in Iran over the past one year.
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
'True spirit of friendship' between India and Iran hailed after rescue of kidnapped citizens
Tehran: India on Wednesday thanked the Iranian government for its swift and effective efforts in securing the release of three kidnapped Indian citizens, emphasising that the timely support reflects "true spirit of friendship" that exists between the two nations. "The three kidnapped Indian citizens have been safely rescued and are now under the care of the Embassy of India, which is facilitating their early repatriation. We sincerely thank the Government of Iran for their swift and effective efforts in securing their release," the Embassy of India in Iran posted on X. "Your support reflects the true spirit of friendship between two nations," it added. Late Tuesday, the Embassy of Iran in India confirmed that Tehran police had freed the missing individuals, citing a report from Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency. "Three missing Indian citizens freed by Tehran police. Local media in Iran say police have found and released three Indian men who had gone missing in Iran," the Iranian Embassy stated. The trio was reportedly rescued following a police operation targetting the hostage-takers in Varamin in south Tehran, Iranian media reported. According to reports, the three Indian men - all hailing from Punjab and identified as Jaspal Singh, Hushanpreet Singh, and Amritpal Singh - had disappeared shortly after landing in Tehran on May 1. They were reportedly on their way to Australia after being promised lucrative jobs by a local travel company. The Indian Embassy in Tehran had issued a statement on May 28, following an approach by the family members of the missing men, who expressed serious concern over their relatives' sudden disappearance. The statement read, "Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured. We are also keeping the family members regularly updated on the efforts being made by the Embassy." Reports also suggested that the families received ransom demands of Rs one crore from unknown individuals, with the threatening calls originating from Pakistani phone numbers. The details raised serious alarm, prompting swift diplomatic engagement from both sides. The Iranian Embassy in India, responding to the developments, stated that the case was being closely followed by the Consular Affairs Department of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Embassy also issued a warning to Indian citizens, advising them "not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorised individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries." India has also previously issued travel advisories for its nationals travelling to Iran, urging them to exercise caution, remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and consulates, and avoid engagement with unverified travel agents or intermediaries.
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India.com
04-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
3 Indians Missing In Iran Last Month Rescued, Says Iranian Embassy
New Delhi: The three Indian nationals who went missing in Iran last month have been successfully rescued, the Iranian Embassy in India said, citing local media reports. The Embassy confirmed on the social media platform X that Tehran police had freed the missing individuals. "Three missing Indian citizens freed by Tehran police. Local media in Iran say police have found and released three Indian men who had gone missing in Iran," the Iranian Embassy posted. All three individuals, identified as Jaspal Singh, Hushanpreet Singh, and Amritpal Singh, hail from Punjab and had disappeared shortly after landing in Tehran on May 1. According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, the men were on their way to Australia after being promised lucrative jobs by a local travel company. The trio was reportedly rescued following a police operation targeting the hostage-takers in Varamin, located in south Tehran, Tasnim news outlet reported. The Indian Embassy had issued a statement on May 28, following an approach by the family members of the missing men, who expressed serious concern over their relatives' sudden disappearance. The statement read, "Family members of three Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested that the missing Indians be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured. We are also keeping the family members regularly updated on the efforts being made by the Embassy." Reports also suggested that the families received ransom demands of Rs one crore from unknown individuals, with the threatening calls originating from Pakistani phone numbers. The details raised a serious alarm, prompting swift diplomatic engagement from both sides. The Iranian Embassy in India, responding to the developments, stated that the case was being closely followed by the Consular Affairs Department of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Embassy also issued a warning to Indian citizens, advising them "not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorised individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries." India has previously issued travel advisories for its nationals travelling to Iran, urging them to exercise caution, remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and consulates, and avoid engagement with unverified travel agents or intermediaries.
