In the turn around of events, where Punjab Government strictly asked the paddy farmers not to transplant paddy before June 20, The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday established a helpline to come to the aid of such farmers and asked its leaders to forcefully oppose this move across the state.
Former minister and SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia has given statement stating that the party had created a helpline with number-9815399333–which was made operational at 7 pm on Thursday so that a concerted effort could be made to stop persecution of farmers for transplanting paddy as per the traditional guidelines.
“It is shameful that an elected government is riding roughshod over farmers by passing one sided orders without even understanding the reasons why they wanted to transplant paddy as per the traditional guideline of June 10,” he added.
Several farmer groups have raised voice against the suggestion of the government of sowing paddy after June 20. Farmers are of the opinion that sowing paddy after june 20 would delay the harvesting and thus would increase the moisture content in their crop which would affect their profits.