Ministerial team begins drought inspection
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 21 2012:
In compliance with the decision taken by State Cabinet to tackle the prevailing drought like situation in the state, a team of Ministers has begun inspecting paddy fields which have been rendered useless following deficient rainfall from today.
On the first day of the inspection today, existing condition of the paddy fields located in different parts of Thoubal district were assessed by the Ministerial team.
Led by Minister of Education and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Moirangthem Okendro, the Ministerial team comprising MLAs Y Surchandra, K Neghachandra, P Projen, Kunjo and other officials of Agriculture Department inspected paddy fields at Ngangou Loukol in Lilong, Wangjing Loukol, Khongjom Loukol, Kakching Loushipat, Hiyanglam Loukol, Lamjao and Langmeidong Loukol.
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Agriculture Minister Abdul Nasir was also present during the inspection.
The Ministerial team also interacted with the farmers during which the farmers pressed the visiting team for providing sufficient water pumps for draining water to their paddy fields from various water sources.
The Ministerial team assured the farmers of doing the needful.
Talking to media persons after the inspection tour, Minister M Okendro informed that many of the paddy fields in Thoubal were found dried up due to deficient rainfall.
The condition in the district is quite alarming.
But plantation of crops can be carried out.
For this, water could be pumped from various water sources.
So, water pumps would be made available to the farmers at the earliest.
The Minister further informed that report on the prevailing situation in Thoubal district would be submitted to the Chief Minister very soon.
The state government would also be sowing paddy seeds in around 10 pari of paddy fields for distribution among the farmers, and the required water would be pumped.
The paddy fields where the seeds would be sown have also been identified.
MLA W Surchandra, who was also present at the press conference, said that around 3,000 hectres of arable lands in Loushipat area have been facing drought like situation and the fields dried up.
During the inspection today, the Ministerial team also witnessed paddy being grown abundantly in some areas of Keirak and Wabgai.