Why are farmers and govt on collision course?

CHANDIGARH: On recommendations of Punjab Agricultural University, the state government has fixed June 20 for start of paddy transplantation this time, postponing it by five days vis-a-vis last year. This has ignited opposition from farmers, but the government is acting tough on those who are transplanting saplings into the water-filled fields before the announced date. Officials of the agriculture department, assisted by police, are flattening such fields and have threatened to cut off power connections to the tubewells. HT dissects the issue:

HT FILE As farmers in some pockets (Muktsar, Rampura Phul, Talwandi Sabo, Sunam and Bathinda) have defied the orders by transplanting paddy before the announced date, the government has ordered uprooting.