‘It’s a half-baked solution’: LoP on paddy ban plan

Chandigarh: Punjab’s leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa voiced concerns on Wednesday over a proposed ban on paddy cultivation in 15 blocks where groundwater levels are declining rapidly, as outlined in the state’s draft agriculture policy.
The affected areas include Barnala, Bhagta Bhai Ka, Bhawanigarh, and Jalandhar East, where the farmers are being encouraged to switch to alternative crops.Bajwa criticised the proposal, calling it a “half-baked solution” that overlooks the need for guaranteed income for farmers. He said: “Crop diversification is essential to address the groundwater crisis, and farmers are willing to cooperate. But expecting them to adopt alternative crops without a MSP is unjust and impractical.”