Preponing paddy transplantation in Punjab to help improve air quality, says NGT

The National Green Tribunal has declined to pass order on a plea challenging Punjab government's notification preponing paddy transplantation by a week saying it will provide more window for the next crop and help improve air quality.

In the June 4 notification, the state government advanced paddy sowing date to June 13 from June 20 following requests from various farmers' organisations which had been complaining of high moisture level in the crop because of late sowing.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said: "The fact remains that preponing the date will have more window for the next crop and help in the air quality. In view of above, we do not find any ground to pass any further order."