Fertilizers at subsidized rate demanded
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 19 2013:
The International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) has demanded the State Government to make the fertilizers available to the farmers at the subsidized government rate of Rs.268.60 per 50-kg bag.
Addressing media persons at the office of IPSA, its Publicity Secretary Khwairakpam Athouba said that the farmers are facing problems from non-availability of fertilizers at the subsidized rate.
They have to procure the fertilizers from the black market for Rs.800-1000 per bag.
The State Government should make the fertilizers available to the farmers at subsidized rate within 10 days, he demanded.
He further said that there are reports of agents close to the Ministers and MLAs hoarding the fertilizers for sale in the black market.
The hoarded fertilizers must be released to the farmers at the subsidized as soon as possible.
Otherwise, the names of the agents would be made public, Athouba warned.
Secretary of IPSA Ravi said that the Agriculture Minister has repeated made assurance to the farmers of making the fertilizers available at the subsidized rate of Rs.268.60, but now the farmers have to purchase the fertilizers at higher price of Rs.800-1000 .
The authorities concerned should look into this problem as the earliest without causing further woes to the farmers, he enjoined.