BJP slams Govt on urea issue
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 11, 2012:
Contending that Government of Manipur's incompetence is complicating problems being faced endured by the State farmers, BJP Manipur Pradesh demanded punitive action against officials involved in trading off Manipur's fertilizer quota to other State(s) as well as white paper in measures to mitigate woes of the farmers.
Speaking to newspersons at its Nityaipat Chuthek office today, BJP State unit vice president Salam Ibohal contended that rather than help farmers, who are besieged with problem of water scarcity, Agriculture Department is today the biggest challenge for the peasant community.
Even as the farmers had been facing severe hardships due to erratic seasonal rainfall, they are forced to endure problem of fertilizer scarcity, he said and demanded that the Government clearly state what additional measures would be initiated to mitigate the farmers' woes.
He also maintained that apart from trading off State's quota of fertilizer, fertilizers meant for farmers are not only underweight but also sold at price above the amount fixed by the Government.
Asking the Government to launch investigation for identifying those officials working hand in-glove with traders, Ibohal asserted that the Union Agriculture ministry would be notified on black-marketing of fertilizers while farmers continue to suffer.