"Minister's name used to avoid misunderstanding"
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 22 2023:
Dealer of the fertiliser, which was intercepted by Meira Paibi activities at Langthabal Lep Awang Leikai on June 18 night, has clarified that he used names of agriculture minister and department to avoid misun derstanding with the worn en activists as he could not get the relevant document for the consignment due to internet shutdown in the state.
Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club here on Thursday, dealer S Biramani said that he was transporting 555 bags of urea as stock transfer from Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited.
The fertilisers were transported through proper channel but he could not possess the relevant document due to internet shutdown.
On the night of June 18, he was informed about the situation at Langthabal after which he went there where the Meira Paibi activists de manded to furnish relevant documents.
Since he had not received the documents due to internet shutdown, he told them that he was transporting the urea with approval from the minister and department concerned, thinking that it might avoid further misunderstanding, Biramani explained while seeking apology for his statement.
All Manipur Fertiliser Dealers' Welfare Association member Leishangthem Shanta, who also attended the press meet, said that the association shares the hardships of the displaced people.
Despite the situa tion, agriculture is also an important issue as without it, the state would be facing shortage of food.
In order to facilitate timely distribution of fertilisers, the dealers are taking up necessary mea sures to ensure timely procurement of urea.
However, due to internet shutdown in the state, they are facing issues in getting relevant documents.
As such, they are transporting fertiliser after getting challan from the in-charge of rake at Jiribam, he said while appealing to the public to allow free passage to urea transporters who possess basic documents.
Meanwhile, an agreement of understanding was signed between United Committee Langthabal (UCL), Meira Paibi of Langthabal Nambul Mapal, fertilizer dealers and director of Department of Agriculture, at the director's office on Thursday in connection with the detention of a truck carrying fertilisers at Langthabal on June 19 .
The parties agreed on distribution of fertilisers at government rates in agricultural areas; drawing the fertilisers with documents approved by the department concerned; handing over the collection amount to the dealers physically and making public fertiliser stock in possession of the 24 dealers.