The State Government has clarified that there is no ban on paddy cultivation and tube-well digging for irrigation of the same in areas with ample groundwater table and minimal chances of drinking water crisis; however farmers of such areas should still be encouraged for cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.
Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand has issued a circular in the context from the Mantralaya to all the Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors of the state. Keeping in view the scanty rainfall and drought in Kharif year 2017, the situation of discouraging paddy cultivation during summer and optimal utilization of conserved water in drought-affected areas has been explained. Dhand said the former circular carries the instructions to only discourage paddy farming during summer, as most areas of state has had insufficient rainfall.
He stated in the circular that after deliberations, State Government has decided and clarified that there is no ban or prohibition on tube-well digging in the places of state with sufficient groundwater table and least chances of drinking water crises, however cultivation of pulses and oilseeds should still be encouraged.
District Collectors have been authorized to take decision regarding whether farmers should be allowed or not to do paddy farming in such areas, instead of oilseed-pulses cultivation, considering the condition of drinking water availability.
The Chief Secretary has directed the officials to strictly abide by these instructions.