Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 16, 2009:
Manipur Loumi Marup has warned that it would launch various forms of agitation if the State Government fails to present a 'white paper' on Rs 7 crores reported to be utilised on drought measures this year.
General Secretary of the Marup, H Ibobi in a press conference conducted today at Irawat Bhavan, said that farmers are discouraged with the measures being taken up by the State Government at a time when they are too worried with the possible outcomes of this year's less rainfall.
Instead of making it available to farmers, the general secretary alleged, Agriculture Department authorities distribute seeds only in 'papers'.
Maintaining that farmers have to come to the Department to seek their requirements instead of officials conducting field visits and look into the needs of the farmers, Ibobi said that sprayers and water pumps bought this year as drought measures do not reach many areas where these equipment are actually needed.
Alleging that sprayers and water pumps are handed over to the farmers of Agriculture Minister's Constituency only, Ibobi further said the Minister and his officials distribute equipment to their favourites taking advantage of the situation.
Taking part in the press conference, president of the Marup, Th Bijay said that the body came across 38, 552 paris of paddy field in the State which are uncultivable due to less rainfall in a survey conducted by the Lup from September 3 to 8. The president further informed the media that a memorandum which has a 15-point demand had been submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently.
The memorandum demanded to compensate the farmers whose paddy fields/farm lands were affected by Loktak Project.
The memorandum also pressed for making available of seeds in subsidised rate, power and irrigation facility to the farmers of the State.
It also demanded for strengthening of co-operative societies, more facilitation of micro-finance in rural areas and promotion of agriculture.