Chandigarh-Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Friday, thanked the farmers of Punjab for following his advice and not cultivating PUSA-44 type of paddy last season.
In a video message, CM Mann said that he is working hard to save our farming and make it a profitable business again. He said that he ensured that the farmers should get required electricity in the daytime. The preparations in mandis for procurement, lifting and transportation are also excellent. We do proper planning, preparations and execution during every season.
He said that before last season of paddy he requested the farmers to not sow PUSA-44 which takes 150+ days to get ready. After his one request, the area under PUSA-44 was decreased by 50%. Instead of PUSA-44, our farmers planted PR-126, PR-127, PR-128, PR-129 and PR-130 which only takes 90 days to get ready, which is 60 days less than PUSA-44. Due to lesser area under PUSA-44, the electricity worth Rs. 477 crore was saved and it also saved 5 billion cusecs groundwater.
Mann said that we are following the words of Guru sahib, 'pawan guru paani pita' and the farmers' support is his biggest strength on this path to make Punjab Rangla again. He said that he is so happy that farmers followed his advice at one simple request and he will never take any decision that can harm Punjab, Punjabis and our resources. He said that he will always take decisions for the betterment of Punjab.
Mann said that he once again, before the beginning of paddy season, he requests the farmers to not sow PUSA-44 at all. It will save electricity and groundwater. He advised the farmers to grow PR-126 to 130 and basmati. He said that the basmati rice gets an even better price than the MSP. Ge said that PUSA-44 produces more stubble than other types too, so give up this type to save our air and water.
Mann said that the AAP government is the government of the common people and farmers. All decisions are taken according to the people. He said that soon he will organise more kisan milni meetings to discuss other matters too. He thanked the farmers for supporting him and his decision, and doing their share to save our air and water.