With the Punjab agriculture department destroying paddy transplanted in violation of its notification making it mandatory not to sow paddy before June 20, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday established a helpline to come to the aid of such farmers and asked its leaders to forcefully oppose this move across the state.

In view of the depleting level of underground water, the state government had issued Punjab Preservation of Sub Soil Water Act, 2009, banning paddy plantation before 20 June. But in some Punjab districts, several farmers — supported by farmer unions — reportedly began paddy transplantation on June 10 some of which was destroyed by the agriculture department as a deterrent for the same.

Agriculture director, Jasbir Singh Bains, has also said they would maintain a record of farmers who were going against the state government order and produce of such farmers would not be procured.

The SAD, however, said it was shameful that an elected government was riding roughshod over farmers by passing one sided orders without even understanding the reasons why they wanted to transplant paddy as per the traditional guideline of June 10.

In a statement, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said farmers had well founded reasons to start paddy transplantation by June 10.

He said foremost reason was the fact that all arrangements had been tied up around this date. “Paddy nursery had been sown as per this date and even labour contracts done with migrant labour,” Majithia said adding delaying transplantation by ten days gives the crop less time to ripen and effects yields.

“It also ensures there is more moisture content making it difficult to sell. Also farmers who want to fit in a third crop by sowing paddy in time will be hit,” he added.

The Akali leader said the Congress government should clarify whether it will compensate farmers for increase in labour costs due to the reduction in the paddy transplantation window, loss of yield, loss due to failure to cultivate a third crop and also assure that moisture laden paddy will be procured”.

He said the SAD had created a helpline with number 9815399333 which would become operational today evening at 7 p.m. so that a concerted effort could be made to stop persecution of farmers for transplanting paddy as per the traditional guidelines.

Majithia also condemned the Congress government for threatening farmers that their crop would not be procured if they sowed paddy before June 20.