The Chief Minister's Office of Punjab announced on Monday, June 1, 2026, that the first phase of paddy transplantation has begun across the state, with two more phases to follow in quick succession over the coming days. In a post on X, the CMO stated: 'ਅੱਜ ਤੋਂ ਸੂਬੇ 'ਚ ਝੋਨਾ ਲਗਾਉਣ ਦੇ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਪੜਾਅ ਦੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ' ['Today marks the start of the first phase of paddy transplantation in the state']. The second phase is scheduled to begin on June 5 and the third on June 9.

Context

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has directed the relevant authorities to ensure eight hours of uninterrupted daytime electricity supply as well as canal water supply to support farmers during the transplantation window. The directive is aimed at easing agricultural operations across Punjab's paddy belt as the kharif season gets under way. The three-phase rollout is a structured administrative mechanism designed to stagger transplantation activity across districts, preventing a sudden surge in power and water demand on any single day.

Policy Backdrop

Punjab has regulated paddy transplantation dates for over a decade under the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, which mandates notified sowing windows to curb groundwater depletion caused by early transplantation. Farmers who sow early tend to rely more heavily on tubewell irrigation, accelerating the decline of the water table in central Punjab districts that are already classified as critically over-exploited. Annual government notifications since 2010 have enforced phased transplant schedules, with compliance monitored by agriculture and revenue officials. The current three-phase structure fits within this long-standing policy framework.

Stakeholders and Impact

The directive directly affects millions of paddy farmers who depend on the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) for subsidised tubewell power and on the Punjab Irrigation Department for canal water supply during the critical transplantation window. Assured daytime power availability reduces farmers' dependence on costly diesel pumps and discourages unauthorised early sowing. Canal water supply, managed by the Punjab Irrigation Department, supplements groundwater use and is considered essential to protecting the state's rapidly depleting aquifers. The combination of phased scheduling and guaranteed supply is intended to bring order to what is otherwise one of the most resource-intensive agricultural operations in the state.

What's Next

District agriculture officers will be responsible for enforcing the phase-wise schedule on the ground. Daily power availability reports from PSPCL will be closely watched to assess whether the eight-hour commitment is being met. Any deviation in monsoon rainfall from normal could prompt mid-season adjustments to the transplantation schedule or water allocation plan. With groundwater levels continuing to fall in several districts, the Punjab government's ability to maintain discipline in transplantation timing while delivering on its power and water supply promises will be a key test of administrative coordination this kharif season.