Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding preponing of date of transplantation of paddy crop from 20th June, 2019 to 13th June, 2019, Punjab, 04/07/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Jai Gopal Dhiman Vs Department of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare, Govt. of Punjab & Others dated 04/07/2019 regarding preponing of date of transplantation of paddy crop from 20th June, 2019 to 13th June, 2019 in the State of Punjab will lead to further depletion of ground water level and not conducive to the environment. The applicant has relied upon a report prepared by the Department of Water Resources and Central Ground Water Authority to the effect that 79% area of State of Punjab is over-exploited in respect of ground water. The date of 20th June, 2019 was earlier fixed on recommendation of the State PCB and the Punjab Agriculture University and preponing thereof is not justified.
NGT said that as the issue would require examination in the light of an expert report and directed for the constitution of a committee comprising representatives of the Central Pollution Control Board, Punjab State PCB and a Scientist each named by the Punjab Agriculture University and the Haryana Agriculture University. The four member Committee would look into the matter and furnish its report within three months.