JALANDHAR
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal today said that the district administration will ensure that farmers face no issues in the markets, and the procurement of paddy will be conducted smoothly. He was addressing a meeting with farmers, combine owners, commission agents, and rice millers. The SSP (Rural) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh was also present on the occasion.
Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal assured farmers that all necessary arrangements have been made for the smooth procurement of paddy, and their crops will be procured smoothly. He emphasized that the Punjab Government stands with farmers and commission agents, ensuring no one will face any problems.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed all combine owners to harvest paddy only with Super SMS-equipped machines. He stated that only harvesters with BIS certification should be used, and no combine should be operated without Super SMS. He directed the agriculture department officials to raise awareness among combined owners about the benefits of using Super SMS. A helpline number, 0181-2225005, has been issued by the district administration for farmers needing assistance in installing Super SMS on their combines. The general public and farmers can also report non-compliance with this regulation on the same number.
The Deputy Commissioner and SSP mentioned that joint teams from the police and agriculture departments will patrol villages. If any combine is found operating without Super SMS, it will be seized, and appropriate action will be taken. Additionally, they instructed the police to monitor out-of-district combines to prevent their operation without Super SMS in the district. Besides, Harvesting with combines has been banned from 6 PM to 10 AM.
Dr. Aggarwal and HPS Khakh also appealed to farmers not to burn stubble or crop residue and to protect the environment. They encouraged farmers to come forward as guardians of the environment. Machinery for managing paddy stubble and residue is available with the agriculture department, and farmers can contact the department or the helpline at 0181-2225005 to use it.
The Deputy Commissioner introduced the district administration's initiative, Guardians of the Environment, under which panchayats in villages that avoid burning stubble will receive one lac for development works. Individual farmers will also be given priority in receiving services at government offices. He directed agriculture department officials to ensure the proper use of farming machinery available with cooperative societies and farmers' groups.