In a bid to check the degradation of the natural eco system, the Punjab Government has issued a notification declaring the parthenium weed also known as 'Congress grass or carrot grass' as noxious weed under the provisions of "The East Punjab Agricultural Pests, Diseases and Noxious Weeds Act, 1949".
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department said that the government has issued notification mandated that every occupier of land would take measures to eradicate this weed and prevent its spread or reappearance. This notification would remain in force till December 31, 2015.
It may be recalled that this weed has been not only degrading the natural eco system in state but was also a potent cause of various diseases in humans and animals. After declaration of this weed as noxious through this notification, any land owner would be duty bond to carry out preventive or remedial measures to control the weed, failing which he was liable to be convicted with punishment. The punishment under the Act could be upto a sum of Rs. 250 or in default to a simple imprisonment upto a period of one month.
He said that Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Sikander singh Maluka has already instructed to all Block Development and Panchayat Officers to visit the villages under their command area twice a week. Punjab Govt. is committed to whole heartedly implementing the development schemes meant for the villages, so that they do not lag behind. In this regard the role of Block Development and Panchayat Officers (B.D.P.O.) assumed great significance.