Rs.7 crores used up fraudulently
No Cashew-nut Farm In Jiri, But Fund Still Gets Withdrawn
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 22 2012: AN AMOUNT of around Rs 7 crores, which was sanctioned under the Horticulture Mission for Northeast Himalayan Region by the Central Government, has been allegedly misused by state Horticulture Department without executing any related works.

According to reliable sources, the Cashew-nut farm, which was set up in Jiribam has ceased to exist but funds are still being provided.

In Ukhrul, there is no Orange cultivation, but funds have been sanctioned for growing Oranges.

On the other hand, in Tamenglong where the climatic condition and soil are best suited for cultivation of oranges, funds are being given for cultivation of lemons.

Sources further revealed that an amount of Rs 3.99 crores had been withdrawn by the Deputy Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation on July 9 this year under cheque number 074948.From the said amount, Rs 1 crore was meant for plantation of Orange and another Rs 51 lakhs for digging ponds for storing water for agricultural purposes.

However, the Orange farmers in Tamenglong district have not received even a single penny from the sanctioned amount or any work taken up in this connection.

Moreover, an amount of Rs 63.13 lakhs had been withdrawn as first installment for beneficiaries of Ukhrul district in connection with plantation of orange although there is hardly any Orange cultivation in the district as the climatic condition and soil type is not suitable for the purpose.

The said fund in question had been withdrawn by the scheme in-charge of Horticulture and Soil Conservation under the Horticulture Mission for Northeast Himalayan Region on August 1 this year.

Another amount of over Rs 21 lakhs had also been withdrawn by Ukhrul DO of Horticulture Department on August 29 this year.

But there is no report of the withdrawn funds being provided to the beneficiaries, sources added.

There are also reports of funds being sanctioned for tissue culture of bananas in Kangpokpi.

But the farmers have pointed out that the fund amounting to Rs 38.96 lakhs had never been used for tissue culture of bananas in any part of Kangpokpi.

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