Imphal, July 07 2009: The drought like situation due to scanty rainfall in the state was prominently discussed in the house of the state Assembly today with a call attention motion moved by CPI MLA, N Mangi converted into short duration discussion.

In reply to the short duration discussion, agriculture and minor irrigation minister, N Loken said the drought situation in the state could not be faced by the Agriculture and Minor Irrigation departments alone.

To face the situation, co-operation of the people and members of the House is needed.

Minister Loken said, out of 150 river lift irrigation projects constructed across the state, 110 are functioning.

The rest 40 schemes will start functioning by next month (August).

He also informed the house that after cabinet resolved, state relief and disaster management has declared drought in the state on June 25.However, Centre is yet to clear the notification of the state government.

The minister further said that after the state government declared drought, agriculture department has procured 300 water pump sets and 260 have been distributed to the farmers.

The remaining 40 pumps will be distributed at the earliest.

He also mentioned the house that no question of imbalance in the distribution of the pumps to the respective assembly constituencies arose and farmers recognized by the government are also getting the benefits.

Minor Irrigation does not provide fuels for the water pumps, the minister said clarifying on the observation made by the members of the house on giving 10 litre of fuels to the farmers by the irrigation department.

At the same, the minister said state agriculture department is distributing 10 litre of fuels to the farmers as special package, the minister put down in the house stating that he would look into the matter of increasing the quantity.

In consultation with the chief minister, he will look into the matter of reflecting more funds in the budget of the department.

Initiating the discussion, N Mangi of ruling CPI said out of the total lift irrigation in the state 50 percent are located in the Kumbi Kendra with the location of Ethai barrage behind the main reason.

Such lifts irrigations to be run by 25 horse power pumps are mean pumping water for irrigation.

With the 10 litre diesel provided by the government, the pump can be run harly two hours, Mangi observed adding that to fight with the drought, all government need to cooperate.

Taking part in the discussion, Dr I Ibohalbi of MPP said RLR has given no benefit in Oinam Assembly constituency.

So, there is the need for clearing and improving the Imphal main canal and construction of converts.

MLA, Ng Bijoy of MPP observed that said that for the Khurai assembly constituency, only three water pump sets has so far given.

This will not able to relief the farmers from drought.

MLA, O Joy who also participated in the discussion said that minor irrigation and IFCD has taken up some works and benefited to some extend.

Authority needs to inspect the purpose of using the water pump sets and if found not using in the wrong manner, they should retaken and provide to the needy farmers.

Ministers and officials also instead of working at the table need to go to the field and look after the irrigation system.

In such situation where the engineers and officials of the minor irrigation and agriculture departments had gone, he asked.

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