Aiming to conserve scarce natural resources like underground water through Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technology, Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday approved Rs 1,500 per acre incentive to the farmers for sowing of paddy through this innovative technology.

The government has earmarked Rs 450 crore to provide incentives to the farmers for the promotion of less water consuming and cost-effective DSR technology. The step would be instrumental to save nearly about 15-20 percent water as compared to the conventional puddling (kaddu) method during the life cycle of crops.

Pertinently, the alarming situation arises out of fast depleting groundwater mainly due to water-guzzling traditional method of paddy transplantation needs bold measures to check this serious trend instantly.

Currently, the water table is falling at a rate of 86 cm per year leading to a precarious situation, where no underground water will be available across the state in the coming 15-20 years.

“It will encourage the majority of farmers to adopt this proven technique which needs far less water for irrigation, improves percolation, reduces dependence on farm labour, and improves soil health, thus enhancing the yield of both paddy and wheat by five to 10 percent,” said a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office.

In order to incentivize the farmers going for DSR, the Cabinet also decided to pay the financial assistance worth Rs 1500 per acre to the farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for which Anaj Kharid Portal of Punjab Mandi Board has already a database of approximately 11 lakh farmers linked with their Aadhaar details, mobile number and bank account details.

Likewise, the farmers opting for DSR will have to register their willingness on a portal which will be developed in-house by a team of software developers of Mandi Board. It will utilize the farmers’ database from Anaj Kharid Portal and the officials will conduct on the ground verification of farmers who opt for DSR.

At present, there are approximately 4000 officers or officials of various departments, including Agriculture, Horticulture, Mandi Board, and Water and Soil Conservation who will be put on duty for verification. After the verification, the incentive amount will be credited to farmers’ accounts through DBT. As per available data, last year, the farmers had done DSR over 15 lakh acres area and with the present availability of implements, it can be increased to 30 lakh acres or even more.

ENHANCES RATES OF CASH IN LIEU OF LAND AND CASH AWARD TO DISTINGUISHED SERVICES AWARD WINNERS

In recognition of the gallantry services of defence services personnel, Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday approved enhancement by 40 percent in rates of cash in lieu of land and cash award to Distinguished Services Award Winners, which would lead to greater satisfaction for these awardees and motivate others for selfless service towards the nation in future. Notably, the rates have not been enhanced since 2011.

Consequently, rates of cash in lieu of land have been enhanced for Sarvotam Yudh Seva Medal winners from Rs two lakh to Rs 2.80 lakh, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal winners from Rs one lakh to Rs 1.40 lakh, Yudh Seva Medal winners from Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000, Sena, Nao Sena or Vayu Sena Medal (D) winners from Rs 30,000 to Rs 42,000, Mention-in-Dispatches (D) winners from Rs 15,000 to Rs 21,000, Param Vishisht Seva Medal winners from Rs two lakh to Rs 2.80 lakh, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal winners from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.05 lakh and Vishisht Seva Medal winners from Rs 30,000 to Rs 42,000.

Likewise, the rates of cash awards have also been enhanced for Sarvotam Yudh Seva Medal winners from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal winners from Rs 15,000 to Rs 21,000, Yudh Seva Medal winners from Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,000, Sena/Nao Sena/Vayu Sena Medal (D) winners from Rs 8,000 to Rs 11,200, Mention-in-Dispatches (D) winners from Rs 7,000 to Rs 9,800, Param Vishisht Seva Medal winners from Rs 20,000 to Rs 28,000, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal winners from Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,000, and Vishisht Seva Medal winners from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000.

ENHANCES EX-GRATIA GRANT RATES TO FAMILIES OF MARTYR SOLDIERS FROM Rs 50L TO Rs 1 CR

The Cabinet also gave the approval to enhance rates of ex-gratia grant to families of martyr soldiers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs one crore. Next of Kin (NOK) of soldiers, who laid down their lives in various operations for the defence of the country, are being given financial assistance by Punjab Government. Notably, the Chief Minister had already announced to enhance the rate of ex-gratia grant in recognition of their gallantry services.

APPROVES SUPERSESSION OF EXISTING NOMINATED MARKET COMMITTEES

In another move to reform the agriculture sector, the Cabinet also okayed supersession of existing nominated Market Committees. As per the Cabinet decision, Section 12 of the Punjab Agricultural Produce Market Act, 1961, will be amended to appoint Administrators for implementation of the policies and programmes of government expeditiously and in a more efficient manner, who shall perform the official duties and exercise powers of the Market Committees for a period of one year or till the nomination of Market Committees, whichever is earlier. 

RETIRED PATWARIS, KANUNGOS TO BE HIRED ON CONTRACT BASIS AGAINST 1766 REGULAR POSTS

To bring far more efficiency to the functioning of the Revenue Department, the Cabinet decided to hire services of retired patwaris or kanungos on contract basis against 1766 regular posts of patwaris. The Cabinet accorded ex-post facto approval to fill 1766 regular posts of revenue Patwaris from among the retired patwari or kanungos on contract basis for an initial one year in rural circles (except urban or semi-urban). The decision has been taken to ensure smooth functioning of the Revenue Department until regular recruitment of patwaris, which is already underway through the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB) thereby reducing the burden of additional charge given to the Patwaris across the State.

NOD TO FILL CIVIL JUDGES POSTS THROUGH HIGH COURT

The Cabinet also decided to fill 79 posts of Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-Judicial Magistrate through the Punjab and Haryana High Court by bringing them out of the purview of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), Patiala. The decision will help to expedite the process of recruiting new judicial officers to ensure speedy dispensation of work at the subordinate courts.