Centre asks States to ensure smooth harvesting, sowing operations

The Union governing administration on Friday questioned states and union territories to be certain clean harvesting and sowing operations, indicating agricultural pursuits had been exempted from the 21-working day lockdown enforced to fight coronavirus.

In a communication to all States and UTs, Union Dwelling Secretary Ajay Bhalla, said the farming operations by farmers, farmworkers and procurement of agricultural productions are exempted from the nationwide lockdown.

Bhalla said the Dwelling Ministry had allowed agricultural operations, retaining in check out the harvesting and sowing year.

He said although exceptions have been allowed for farming operations by farmers and farmworkers, procurement of agricultural productions, operation of mandis, movement of harvesting and sowing associated machinery and other people.., and so on. On the other hand, as for each data been given, these exceptions have not percolated down at the field level.

“With a check out to ensuring clean harvesting and sowing operations, whilst sustaining social distancing, it is asked for that the exceptions allowed for agriculture sector must be communicated to all field companies,” he said.

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