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Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Village panchayat offers free maize seeds to curb paddy cultivation, save groundwater
Bathinda: In a proactive move towards water conservation, the panchayat of Ransih Kalan village in Moga district has launched a unique initiative to curb the rapidly depleting water table by encouraging farmers to shift from water-intensive paddy to kharif maize. As part of the campaign, the panchayat has announced free distribution of maize seeds to farmers willing to forgo paddy transplantation. Around 8-9 kg of seed is required per acre, costing approximately Rs 3,500-4,000 per acre. Ransih Kalan sarpanch Preetinder Pal Singh said for many years, farmers were into paddy transplantation, which caused the groundwater table to deplete rapidly, turning over 75% of blocks in the state into dark zones. Given the circumstances, it is imperative for farmers to stop paddy transplantation and switch to maize cultivation. To support this shift, the village panchayat has decided to provide free maize seeds to farmers who opt out of growing paddy. Earlier, the village panchayat provided farmers cash incentives for not burning crop residue . The panchayat is working to contain drug addiction in the state and is also working to recycle and reprocess plastics. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Barrinhas proteicas com até 28% OFF! Compre já Undo The Punjab govt is also promoting kharif maize and has offered Rs 7,500 per acre as a cash incentive to farmers who switch from paddy to kharif maize. Congress MLA and industrialist Rana Gurjit Singh has offered to purchase the entire crop of maize at an MSP of Rs 2,225 per quintal. Kharif maize is sown from the last week of May to late June, and the state govt wants farmers to adopt maize under crop diversification. Spring maize has started reaching the grain markets upon harvesting. The farmers are spreading it in the grain markets to dry it and maintain moisture content within permissible limits. The farmers say they are getting Rs 1,800-2,000 per quintal against an MSP of Rs 2,225 per quintal. The traders cite more moisture content as the reason for offering a price lower than the MSP, while the authorities are not coming forward to procure maize at the MSP. MSID:: 121861878 413 |
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Need to keep guard up in Punjab: Congress in Ludhiana
Former cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh, Ravinder Dalvi, co-incharge, All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and Bharat Bhushan Ashu, working president of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack in which tourists were targeted. The leaders stated that the Congress extended its complete support to the government of India to deal with the terror in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack. The leaders also accused Pakistan of carrying out such attacks in various parts of India – including Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir. The party also warned against letting down the guard in Punjab particularly in view of a series of terror attacks like hurling grenades at police stations, temples and houses of political leaders. Rana Gurjit Singh stated that Pakistan is continuously smuggling drugs and weapons to disturb law and order situation here. He added that the Congress Working Committee has already condemned the attack and passed a resolution extending full support and cooperation to the government. He also extended deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Rana said, this is a challenge to the country's unity and integrity, and this is the time for all of us to fight the enemy together. The former minister also drew the attention of disturbing incidents in Punjab like the regular and frequent grenade attacks on police stations and religious places. He pointed out, the government has itself admitted that drugs and weapons were being smuggled in from Pakistan with the help of drones. Rana assured that the Congress party will always remain at the forefront in the fight against terrorism. He pointed out that several Congress leaders including two Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi, chief minister Beant Singh and many others had laid down their lives to protect and safeguard peace and unity and integrity of the country. He said, so many people in Ludhiana like Joginderpal Pandey, Satpal Prashar, Radhey Shyam Malhotra, Dr Kalicharan and others had laid down their lives fighting against terrorism. Rana Gurjit Singh ducked the question over the controversial remarks of Robert Vadra for stating that Pahalgam terror attacks were invoked by Hindutva accusations. Rana Gurjit Singh stated that he is not aware of such a statement. Speaking on the occasion, Ashu said, the Congress will always keep the national security above the party interests. However, he targeted the state's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over repeated incidents of attack on police establishments, houses of political leaders. Former cabinet ministers Sunder Sham Arora, Rakesh Pandey, besides Barinder Dhillon and Shyam Sunder Malhotra were also present in the press conference. The Congress leaders later led a candlelight march, which passed through different parts of Ghumar Mandi area to express solidarity with the families of the victims of the terror attack. Hundreds of people joined the march to pay homage to the victims.
