Fertilizer scandal: Nara urges Guv to take action
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 07, 2012:
To press for taking up action against the state Government for the infamous fertilizer scandal, Communist Party of India's state General Secretary, Moirangthem Nara Singh today called on Governor Gurbachan Jagat.
During the meeting the Communist leader submitted a memorandum highlighting the issue and insisted the Governor to book responsible Department/Officials.
Talking to mediapersons after meeting the Governor, Dr Nara said that the issue of fertilizer is a very serious one that needs immediate intervention of the Governor.
Dr Nara alleged that selection of transporters was done at the sweet will of the Government without observing any laid down formalities.
These lapses are required to be looked into and the responsible Department/Officials booked under relevant law without any delay.
"As the Central Government has subsidized the transportation charge of bringing in fertilizers from Assam to Manipur, the cost Urea has been fixed at Rs.278.80 per bag.
However, the Government has transported Urea bags from Silchar to Manipur under an unknown trader called M/S Ranganamei by paying Rs.
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4000 per metric tonne instead of the fixed amount of Rs.2100 per metric tonne," Dr Nara alleged.
He further disclosed that a sum of Rs.9.60 cores had been sanctioned and subsequently released by the Government of Manipur during March 2012 for procurement of fertilizers to be kept in the buffer of stock of the state.
10,000 MT of fertilizers were supposed to be purchased and kept in the Govt.stock before the onset of Monsoon.
However, as on 20/07/2012 only 5308 MTs were lifted from Namrup Fertilizer Factory, Assam.
The government is also insisting upon the recognized exporters, who had ferried 7500 Metric Tonne of Urea before announcement of subsidy on transport to sell the fertilizers at subsidized rate of Rs.278.80 per bag, Dr Nara said.
On the other hand, some people, possibly political workers of the ruling party, have approached the private dealers for sale of fertilizers at Rs.3300 to Rs.400 per bag, he added.