MLA Mirabai demands House Committee
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 23 2021:
While alleging that Farmers Producer Company operating under MOMA and MOBCD of agriculture department could not avail credit loan from the Government of India due to inactive functioning of service providers, Congress MLA Ak Mirabai has demanded constitution of a House Committee to take action against service providers hired with huge amount.
MLA Ak Mirabai made this demand while raising the matter during question and answer session on the second day of the 13th Session of 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
In reply to Opposition member's question, agriculture minister O Lukhoi placed before the House that altogether 15 Farmers Producer Company (FPC) have been formed under MOMA and MOBCD agriculture but none of the FPC availed equity grant and credit guarantee fund from the Government of India due to lack of eligibility criteria of FPC.
After getting reply for the question from the minister, Ak Mirabai while citing guidelines of Agriculture ministry said agriculture department is entitled to appoint one each service provider for FPC and these service providers should develop respective FPC to self-sustainable level within three years and asked the minister how many service providers have been appointed for 15 FPC formed so far.
She also demanded to know honorarium provided to each service providers as also authorised and paid up capital to be provided to each FPC.
As per the Agriculture ministry guideline each FPC should have specific office with signboard and for which the Government of India provides fund, Mirabai said and asked whereabouts of 15 FPC formed so far.
Agriculture ministry guideline mentioned about providing Rs 15 lakh as grant in a financial year when a FPC secure project worth Rs 2 crore, Mirabai said and asked as to why 4/5 years old FPC are ineligible for getting the facility.
It is responsibility of service providers for making FPC eligible for the facility and that is why they were hired at huge amount, she said and further asked as to why the department sanctioned large amount of money for hiring service providers when none of FPC are eligible for getting facility from the Central government.
She then demanded constution of House Committee to look into the matter to collect huge amount given to service providers.
In his reply to the additional question, agriculture minister Lukhoi replied that both the FPC and service providers are not under the control of the department and assured to look into the guideline of the ministry.
Dissatisfied with the reply of the minister, Ak Mirabai asked the minister to investigate as to why none of the FPC was unable to sustain self when service providers were hired at huge amount for the purpose for a long time.