Chandigarh, May 15 -- In a step further aimed at saving 15-20 per cent of the state's precious groundwater, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Thursday started the Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR).

This will act as a catalyst for checking the further depletion of groundwater and supplement farmers' incomes in a big way, said a statement from the CMO.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that since taking charge of his office, his government has taken several groundbreaking initiatives to safeguard the interests of the farmers.

He said that only the state government has encouraged the DSR paddy cultivation technique as part of this endeavour, and sowing under the scheme has started today...