Loumee Lup demands release of crop compensation
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 29 2024:
Manipur Loumee Lup has demanded immediate release of compensation for farmers who were unable to cultivate crops particularly paddy due to the ongoing violence.
According to a statement of Manipur Loumee Lup, a total of 5127.08 hectares of paddy fields located in fringe areas of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Kakching, Bishnupur, Imphal West and Imphal East districts were unable to sow any crop due to the ongoing violence.
To mitigate suffering of the affected farmers, the Union Home Ministry released compensation amount of Rs 38.60 crore on October 1, 2023 but the same are yet to provide relief to farmers till date, the Lup said and strongly condemned freezing of crop compensation amount.
Apart from the violence affecting more than 10,000 hectare of paddy fields, the drought-like situation in paddy fields across the state during flowering phase significantly reduced crop production which economists estimated the loss to around Rs 225 crore.
On top of this, majority of the farmers particularly those having paddy fields in fringe areas are unable to take up agricultural or horticultural activities and presently taking shelter at relief camps thereby halting their livelihood means, the farmers' body said and expressed hope that releasing crop compensation amount to farmers would help in improving the already fractured economy of the state.