Chandigarh, Aug. 19 -- Setting aside the Punjab agriculture department's April 7, 2025, order imposing a blanket ban on PUSA-44 and all hybrid paddy seeds, both notified and non-notified , the high court on Monday ruled that the directive "does not withstand the test of legality."

The Punjab and Haryana high court bench clarified that the state cannot prohibit the use of varieties duly notified by the government of India under the Seeds Act of 1966.

Justice Kuldeep Tiwari, in his order, stated that the government notification dated April 7, 2025, 'does not pass the test of legality.'

"Therefore, the writ petitions are allowed and the impugned administrative order is set aside," read the order. In the 59-page order, the court observed t...