Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: Following the intervention of Union Territory Administration, six combine harvesters from Punjab reached Jammu today for harvesting the wheat crop as the farmers have been facing shortage of labour while the harvesting season at its peak.
With the intervention of some Kissan leaders in BJP and other parties, the UT Administration reviewed the preparations made to facilitate farmers and allowed the entry of Combine Harvesters from Punjab. Today six machines reached Jammu areas after crossing border at Lakhanpur.
Due to the COVID -19 threat the farmers cannot use the labour in bulk for harvesting the crop this time. Moreover, like the farmers in Punjab, J&K farmers don’t have the Combine Machines for harvesting the crop. The Government took measures to supply the same to them.
BJP leader Omi Khajuria expressed gratitude to the State Administration for taking up the issue with the Punjab authorities. The UT Administration has facilitated free movement of combine harvesters and other Farm machinery from outside the UT so that farmers can reap their yield on time, Khajuria said.
He also appealed the farmers to wear masks and maintain safe physical distancing while visiting farm fields.
Agricultural inputs viz seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, farm machinery have been categorised as essential items and it is obligatory on part of District Administration that shops supplying these items function daily, he asserted.
Meanwhile, farmers have heaved a sigh of relief after some combine harvesters reached their areas.
Follow our WhatsApp channel