BADAL ASKS AGRI DEPT: Work out mechanism for advance sowing of paddy

Chandigarh, December 13, 2012: The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today directed the state Colonization department to issued guidelines regarding the partition of plots measuring 20X80 ft. into two plots of 10X80 ft each free of cost to the allottees in the mandis.  However, the fixed price would be charged for the construction of basement and first floor as per the norms from the allottees.

A decision to this effect was taken by Badal in a meeting with the deputation of Aarhtia Association led by its President Ravinder Singh Cheemahere at Chief Minister’s Residence on Wednesday evening. 

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that Badal asked the Director Colonization to issue notification in this behalf after making necessary amendments in the policy and directed the Punjab Mandi Board to undertake the partition of plots accordingly in line with the similar policy. 

Responding to the other issues raised by the Association relating to Power cleaners’ electricity bills, relaxation in moisture contents of paddy and availability of gunny bags etc., the Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to examine them thoroughly before taking any final decision.  He assured that all their pending issues would be looked into sympathetically so as to resolve them amicably.

Regarding the allotment of plots to the old Arhtias in new mandis, the Chief Minister also directed the Financial Commissioner Development to initiate appropriate steps for the amendment in the existing allotment rules.  On the issue of payment of the electricity bills of power cleaners by the labourers and Arhtias jointly, Badal directed the Financial Commissioner Development to review this issue personally.

Meanwhile, the President of the Association raised the issue that late sowing and combine harvesting of paddy resulted in an increase of moisture content up to 18% and 19% instead of permissible limit of 17%.  Taking a view of this genuine problem, Badal asked the Agriculture department to work out a mechanism for advance sowing the paddy i.e. on 1st June instead of 10th June. He also agreed to take up the issue for seeking relaxation in paddy moisture content with the GoI.

Prominent amongst those who attended the meeting including Chief Parliamentary Secretary Gurbachan Singh Babehalli, Financial Commissioner G.S. Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gaggandip Singh Brar, Chairman Punjab Mandi Board Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, Secretary Food and Supplies D.S. Grewal, M.D. Punjab Warehousing Corporation Arvinder Singh Bains, Director Food and Supplies Harkesh Singh Sidhu, M.D. Markfed K.S. Sra, Secretary Mandi Board Mohinder Singh Kainth, Registrar Cooperative Societies A.S. Miglani, Director Colonization Pirthi Chand, M.D. PUNSUP P.S. Shergill and DGM FCI S.K.Yadav.