Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16:
After fuel, Manipur is now facing an acute shortage of fertilisers with many farmers coming out on the streets demanding adequate fertilisers lor their crops.
Even as a large number of farmers hit the street and resorted to road blockade at Oinam area in Bishnupur district today, a women's body has threatened to call an indefinite bandh in Thoubal district with effect from midnight of August 18 if the State Government fails to supply adequate fertilizers to the farmers.
A legion of farmers coming from Charangpat area of Thoubal district also demonstrated in front of the Chief Minister's bungalow demanding distribution of fertilisers today despite the assurance given by the Government that it will take up all needed efforts for lifting more fertiliser to meet the demand.
Addressing a press conference here today, president of Thoubal District Women's Development K Thasana Devi announced that they would call an indefinite bandh in Thoubal district with effect from midnight of August 18 if the Government fails to supply the fertilisers to the farmers by the evening of the same day.
Predicting an imminent famine if the fertiliser is not provided to the farmers for cultivation of rice in the field in time, with the monsoon at its peak now, she said that at this critical juncture, the Government should keep top priority in lifting fertliser instead of other commodities.
Alleging that some MLAs and Ministers are plying dirty politics in distributing the available fertiliser to their near and dear ones, she demanded that whatever amount of fertiliser lifted should be handed over to the local clubs and Meira paibis through the respective dealers and agents for equitable distribution among the farmers.
Thasana further charged that certain stock of fertiliser are in the hands of some Ministers and dealers and the latter in collusion with the former are attempting to sell off the stuff at a hiked price.