Patiala, May 5 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has dismissed a petition challenging the Punjab government's move to advance the paddy transplantation from June 15 to June 1 this year. The Tribunal stated that the plea lacked scientific backing or material evidence to prove environmental damage resulting from the decision. The petition, filed by HC Arora, advocate in the Punjab and Haryana high court, had sought directions against the decision announced by chief minister Bhagwant Mann on March 23. Mann had recently announced the sowing of paddy would begin earlier to enable timely harvest and prevent moisture-related crop rejection during procurement. "The crop with higher moisture is rejected at procurement centres. We do not want farmers to suffer on that account," Mann had said.The petitioner cited a report of the Groundwater Management Circle, Water Resources Department, Punjab, highlighting that overexploited groundwater blocks in the state had risen from 110 in 2009 to 114 in 2022. He argued that advancing the sowing date could further strain the groundwater reserves....