Won’t interfere with govt order on paddy transplantation: NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has declined to interfere with the government order on advancing the date of paddy transplantation to June 1 and disposed of a petition seeking a stay.

The tribunal ruled that the petition, filed last month, did not have enough material and was not backed by scientific facts. As a result, there was no need to review the state’s policy.

The applicant had pleaded that in terms of Section 3 of the Punjab Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Act, 2009, no farmer is permitted to sow paddy nursery before May 10 or such other date as may be notified by the state government in the official gazette.

“The applicant has approached the tribunal on the basis of some statement said to have been made by the CM to the Press, conveying the decision to start paddy transplantation from June 1. No such newspaper has been placed on record. That apart, the applicant is required to demonstrate the effect of shifting of (paddy transplantation) date on the environment or the groundwater level. We do not find any authentic material in support of such a plea,” reads the order.

The order further states that “in such circumstances, we are of the opinion that if the applicant comes in possession of the authentic material in support of his plea concerning any damage to the environment or reduction of groundwater level on account of shifting of the date, he is required to approach the competent authority along with a proper representation with the supporting material. If such a representation is filed by the applicant, the same will be duly considered by the competent authority expeditiously”.

Punjab