The Bhagwant Singh Mann government came into power with a landslide mandate in 2022. Ever since then, Punjab Chief Minister Bhawant Mann has introduced a plethora of schemes that are impacting the lives of people on the ground level. In the form of 'Bhagwant Mann Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar', CM Mann has brought his government services door to door. When Mann took over the office, the farmers' issue was the prime issue. However, the Bhagwant Singh Mann government has made it clear that its prime focus will be on the farmers as many schemes are benefiting the farming sectors of the state.
Keeping his focus on the grassroots level, the Punjab CM has revised the nursery act of the state so that the quality of plants or seeds does not get compromised. The Punjab Nursery Act, of 1961 has been amended for the second time in the state by the Bhagwant Singh Mann government. Under this new Nursery Act, nursery owners have been made bound to prepare virus-free plants.
Under these rules, registered horticultural nurseries have been given two years to fulfill the conditions under the Act and to develop true-to-life plants and it has been made compulsory for farmers to plant these seeds in mother plant and rootstock nurseries. The Mann government has also made it compulsory for nursery owners to get these plants tested. Subscriber licence has also been made compulsory. The source and quality of the same will be regulated under the Seeds Act 1966 (Central Act 54 of 1966).
How farmers can get their nurseries registered?
Horticultural nurseries (for fruits, vegetables, plants, etc except cross or self-regulated species) have to be registered in the CU. The registration fee of Rs. 1000 has to be deposited in the account of Seed Certification Agency. Application has to be made by filling out Form-10 at the time of applying for a nursery license or license renewal.
After this, a certificate will be issued to the nursery licensee by the Seed Certification Agency. This certificate will be displayed at some prominent place in your nursery. As per Form-11, 12, and 13, periodical inspection will be done by the Seed Certification Agency and a fee of Rs. 5000 per annum will be charged per person and this fee will be deposited in the account of the Seed Certification Agency.