Poppy plantation continues, start-ups ineffective: Meghachandra
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 30 2022: Lainingthou Pureiromba Angom Salai Apunba Lup, Lai Lampak on Saturday performed a ritual to mark the final day of the month of Sajibu at Kongba Maru Laiphamlen.

Speaking on the occasion, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee MPCC) president K Meghachandra observed that poppies are being planted indiscriminately, despite the government's claims of preventing the same.

Although a tree plantation drive was carried out as part of the ritual, the huge effects on the environment due to deforestation in forest area can be felt by all, making it seem as if there is no Forest department, he remarked.

He continued that in many remote areas, there have been attempts to reengage in illegal poppy plantation, which is a sign of lapse in the monitoring aspect of the government.

Thus, it is important for the government to re-examine its forest and drug policies as both have been quite ineffective, especially in the hill areas, he said, while adding that concerted efforts are required to put a stop to illegal poppy plantation and deforestation activities.

Meghachandra also commented on the start-up programmes, stating that these programmes are unable to address the problems faced by the youth.

He mentioned that when a beneficiary from Kakching district is selected under the startup programme, they are provided only Rs 20,000 by the banks; while refusing to allocate the entitled loan amount.

Unemployment is a huge problem and mere selection of 200-300 applicants under the programme cannot help solve this issue effectively.

Furthermore, the banks refuse to comply with government orders/ directives and provide the loans to beneficiaries.

The government has not taken up any action in the matter as well, thereby rending its orders valueless.

Many have been denied loans for Over 5 years, thus leaving the youth frustrated and unable to cope with the money and time invested in preparing the projects, Meghachandra conveyed.

Recounting BJP government s promise of providing jobs to 7.5 lakh youths; the MPCC president remarked that the government is yet to declare the results of the recruitment drive for the lone IRB Battalion.

This indicates that the BJP government is a government without any money and both the central and state governments have failed to live up to its promises of bringing about solutions to the problems of the youth, he stated.

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