Cabinet okays ₹1,500/ acre for farmers adopting DSR method
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab cabinet on Wednesday approved Rs 1,500 per acre incentive to farmers for sowing paddy through DSR (direct seeding of rice) technique. A sum of Rs 450 crore has been earmarked to provide incentive to farmers for promotion of the less water consuming and cost-effective DSR technique.
According to a government spokesperson, this step would be instrumental in saving nearly 15-20% more water than the conventional puddling (kaddu) method of paddy cultivation.
“The incentive will encourage majority of farmers to adopt this proven technique which needs far less water for irrigation, improves percolation, reduces dependence on farm labour and improves soil health, thus enhancing yield of both paddy and wheat by 5-10%,” the spokesperson claimed.
Farmers opting for DSR will have to register their willingness on a portal which will be developed in-house by a team of software developers of Mandi Board. Officials will also conduct on-ground verification of farmers who opt for DSR. Last year, farmers had adopted DSR technique over 15 lakh acres area and with the present availability of implements, it can be increased to 30 lakh acres or even more, said officials.
In another significant decision, the cabinet also gave its nod to enhance rates of ex-gratia grant to families of martyr soldiers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
Nod to hire retired patwaris on contract
The cabinet also decided to hire services of retired patwaris/ kanungos on contract basis for a year against 1,766 regular posts of patwaris. The cabinet also decided to fill 79 posts of civil judge (junior division)-cum-judicial magistrate through Punjab & Haryana high court by bringing out the purview of Punjab Public Service Commission, Patiala.
Nod to appoint administrator in market committees
In another move to reform the agriculture sector, the cabinet cleared the supersession of the existing nominated market committees.
As per the cabinet decision, Section 12 of the Punjab Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1961, will be amended to appoint administrators for implementation of the policies and programmes of government expeditiously and in a more efficient manner, who shall perform the official duties and exercise powers of the market committees for a period of one year or till the nomination of market committees, whichever is earlier.
FARMERS OPTING FOR DSR WILL HAVE TO REGISTER THEIR WILLINGNESS ON A PORTAL WHICH WILL BE DEVELOPED IN-HOUSE BY A TEAM OF SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS OF MANDI BOARD
Increase cash reward to distinguished services award winners
The cabinet also approved enhancement by 40% in rates of cash in lieu of land and cash award to distinguished service award winners, which would lead to greater satisfaction to these awardees and motivate others for selfless service towards nation in future.