Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 06 2009:
Owing to non-compliance to prescribed norms that amount to financial indiscipline the State exchequer is likely to lose about Rs 41 crore, supposed to be extended to the State Government from the Centre's National Calamities Contingency Fund (NCCF).
According to a source in the Agriculture Department, an amount of Rs 7 crore from the coffer of Calamities Relief Fund was used in redressing problems faced by the State farmers who had been reeling under the impact of drought.
Under the State Government's specific policy to provide succour to the distressed farmers as well as ensure availability of food crops inspite of the drought, Deputy Commissioners of all the districts were entrusted with the task of taking up necessary measures out of the released amount of Rs 7 crore.
It is informed that the DCs are supposed to complete the relief measures, which included distribution of rabi crop seeds to the farmers, within the first week of November.
Reminding that distribution of rabi seeds had commenced from October month, the source also informed that from December onward the released amount should be utilised in the purchase of fertilizers and plant protection measures.
However, with seed distribution programmes still continuing it is unlikely the utilisation certificate of Rs 7 crore could be prepared or submitted to the Central Govt authorities in time to procure more fund, the source expressed.
To take up plant protection measures, irrigate the cultivation sites and apply insecticides the Agriculture Department reportedly send a proposal of Rs 41 crore to the NCCF authorities.
Even though the NCCF had approved the proposal condition was laid that utilisation certificate of Rs 7 crore be submitted first in order to pave the way for release of more fund.
The source also confided that taking into account shortage of rainfall this year, Agriculture Department would not recollect water pump sets that had been handed over to many farmers.
Rather Department personnel would routinely carry out inspection to ensure proper use of the water pumps, the source maintained.
Regarding farmers' response to the recently launched 'crop insurance scheme', the source said apart from 18,000 paris of paddy field in Imphal West and Bishnupur districts having been covered under the scheme, requisite amount has been earmarked to face with any eventuality.