Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 28 2009:
Several organisations of Khangabok and nearby areas have alleged that lack of initiative on the part of the State Government coupled with inefficiency of the department concerned are some important factors the local farmers had been facing severe difficulty in sustaining agricultural activities.
Interacting with news-persons while on a survey of parched paddy fields today, representatives of the organisations voiced strong resentment that paddy plantation sites of Khangabok and surrounding areas would not have endured drought-like situation in case Yairipok dam water is diverted through the Arong river and Thambal Angangbi canal towards Khangabok.
Functionaries of Multi Farming and Rural Development Organisation, popular Youth Club (Khangabok Pt-3), Rising Union Youth Club (Khangabok Pt-3), Social Welfare Club (Khangabok Pt-2) along with Khangabok Zilla Parishad members and pradhan of Khangabok Pt-3 Gram Panchayat conducted inspection of the paddy fields.
Some officials of Minor Irrigation Department Thoubal Division were also part of the inspection team.
Secretary of Multi Farming and Rural Development Organisation M Sarat lamented that inspite of being well aware that delay in the arrival of monsoon rainfall is causing headache to the local farmers the State Government had been remaining indifferent to plight of the peasant community.
He strongly suggested that water from the Yairipok Dam be diverted to paddy fields located in Khangabok Part 1,2 and 3 areas to ensure resumption of paddy plantation activities.
Sarat also opined that State authorities realise gravity of the drought-like situation and its possible negative impact on food stock of the State in case there is crop failure.