Consider the following statements in reference to Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009.
1. As per the Act, no farmer shall sow nursery of paddy before 10th day of May of the agricultural year
or such other date as may be notified by the State Government by notification in the Official Gazette for any local area.
2. Any farmer who contravenes the provisions of this Act shall be liable to a penalty of rupees ten
thousand for every month, or part thereof, per hectare of the land till the period such contravention continues.
3. As per the Act. 'State government' means 'Government of India".
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is: (b) Only 1 and 2
Explanation:
· Statement 1 is correct – The Act restricts the sowing of paddy nursery before 10th May, unless the state government notifies another date.
· Statement 2 is correct – The Act provides for a penalty of ₹10,000 per month per hectare for violating the sowing provisions.
· Statement 3 is incorrect – In the context of the Act, ‘State Government’ means the Government of Punjab, not the Government of India.
Information Booster:
· The Act was enacted to prevent groundwater depletion caused by early paddy sowing in Punjab.
· It aims to conserve subsoil water and promote sustainable agriculture.
· Farmers were encouraged to shift sowing closer to the monsoon season to reduce reliance on groundwater irrigation.
· The Act supports agricultural water management policies in line with Punjab’s ecological needs.
· Violations are monitored by district-level officers and agriculture departments.