Punjab CM assures farmers of 8-hours uninterrupted power supply for paddy transplantation

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday assured uninterrupted eight hours power supply to farmers for paddy transplantation beginning from June 10. chief minister also appealed to paddy growers to strictly adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols during kharif sowing season. Ahead of start of paddy sowing operations, Singh, in a mess, urged farmers to wear face masks and diligently follow all health protocols advised by authorities from time to time.

With coronavirus cases rising across world, especially in India, Punjab cant remain isolated, a release quoted chief minister as saying. Expressing confidence of ar bumper kharif crop by state's farmers, who had delivered in tough conditions in recently concluded rabi season, Singh urged farmers to strictly follow all social distancing rms and take all necessary precautions to protect mselves. Amid COVID-19 crisis, Punjab had successfully completed procurement of 128 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat without a single instance of coronavirus infection reported from as many as 4,000 mandis across state, chief minister said.

He also expressed satisfaction at initial results of unique direct seeding rice method, for which state government has provided machines to farmers this season. results have been encouraging, with paddy needing less water, he said, adding that technique is also less labour-intensive. state government has been encouraging use of se machines amidst reduced availability of migrant workers. 

(Im credits: PTI)