Widespread rainfall in Punjab, Haryana may damage paddy crop
Chandigarh, Sep 22 : Widespread rainfall across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Saturday brought miseries to farmers as untimely showers have affected the standing paddy crop in the agrarian states.
The maximum temperature at most places has been below normal due to the downpour, weather officials said here.
Farmers in both Punjab and Haryana said the rain during this period was not good as the harvesting of the paddy crop was on.
"The harvesting is on and the rain will increase the moisture content in the crop that will get damaged if the rain persists," farmer Ajaib Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib told IANS.
Reports said that the paddy crop, which is almost ready for harvest, was damaged in some areas. Procurement of paddy in Punjab and Haryana is scheduled to begin from October 1.
Officials from Agriculture and Food and Supplies Departments are expecting a bumper paddy crop in both the states this year.
An official spokesperson said elaborate arrangements have been made to procure the expected 200 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in Punjab.
In Chandigarh, traffic was affected as water accumulated at many places in the city. Complaints of water-logging were also received by authorities in the adjoining towns of Panchkula in Haryana and Mohali in Punjab.
Traffic on highways in Punjab and Haryana was slow due to the rain. The Punjab government on Friday issued an alert for heavy rains across the state till September 24.
As per information received from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the state is likely to experience widespread rainfall from late Saturday to Monday, a government spokesman told IANS.
He said many districts in Doaba, Majha and Malwa were very likely to get very heavy rains, even more than 12 cm, during this period.
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CEC orders immediate arrest of those involved in post-poll violence in Bengal: Official
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed the authorities concerned to immediately arrest those involved in post-poll violence and vandalism in West Bengal, an official said on Wednesday.
The Election Commission's directive came after two persons were killed in alleged incidents of post-poll violence in the state on Tuesday, besides scores of party offices being ransacked.
The CEC issued instructions to the West Bengal chief secretary, director general of police, Kolkata police commissioner and directors general of central armed police forces, along with all district magistrates, superintendents of police and other officials, to maintain continuous patrolling in sensitive areas, he said.
"Those responsible for inciting violence and carrying out acts of vandalism must be arrested immediately," the official said, quoting the CEC's instruction.
The chief election commissioner also stressed the need for swift and firm enforcement of the law, he added.
This directive came amid concerns over law and order in parts of the state, with the Election Commission closely monitoring the situation, he added.
"We have been asked to remain on high alert and ensure that any attempt to disturb peace is dealt with firmly," a senior police officer said.
The state authorities have intensified vigil across districts, with coordinated efforts between the police and central forces to prevent any untoward incident, he added.
The assembly elections were held in West Bengal in two phases - April 23 and 29. The counting of votes took place on May 4.
The BJP sealed a landslide victory with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.
