Govt to compensate for phumdi clearance
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 10 2011:
The Government of Manipur has decided to expedite clearance of floating bio-mass (phumdis) from Loktak Lake by providing compensation to the phumdi farmers.
Decision to compensate the phumdi farmers/owners was arrived at a meeting held today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.
The meeting was also attended by Revenue Minister Th Debendra, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister N Biren, Thanga AC MLA T Mangibabu, the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (forest & Environment) and top officials of Loktak Development Authority (LDA) .
The meeting also resolved to entrust the Bishnupur district Deputy Commissioner and LDA officials for physical verification of the phumdis.
It is informed that about 1100 phumdis are being cultivated by people settled in the periphery of the Loktak Lake, whose main source of income generation is fishing activities at the lake.
Meanwhile, an informed source said that inspite of the Chief Minister instructing State department authorities for proper utilisation of funds of the current fiscal expeditiously only 14 percent of the total plan allocation could be utilised till date.