December 12, 2024

Paull Ank Ford

Business Think different

Centre asks States to ensure smooth harvesting, sowing operations

The Union authorities on Friday asked states and union territories to ensure easy harvesting and sowing functions, stating agricultural routines were exempted from the 21-working day lockdown enforced to fight coronavirus.

In a conversation to all States and UTs, Union Household Secretary Ajay Bhalla, explained the farming functions by farmers, farmworkers and procurement of agricultural productions are exempted from the nationwide lockdown.

Bhalla explained the Household Ministry had allowed agricultural functions, keeping in see the harvesting and sowing time.

He explained although exceptions have been allowed for farming functions by farmers and farmworkers, procurement of agricultural productions, procedure of mandis, movement of harvesting and sowing linked machinery and many others.., and many others. Having said that, as for every data received, these exceptions have not percolated down at the industry level.

“With a see to making certain easy harvesting and sowing functions, whilst preserving social distancing, it is requested that the exceptions allowed for agriculture sector ought to be communicated to all industry businesses,” he explained.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the lockdown on March 24 in a bid to fight the coronavirus pandemic.