COCOMI Loumi Lup demands compensation for 9719 hectares
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 05 2023:
Reacting against the government's policy to pay compensation for only 5127 farmlands affected by the ongoing crisis in the state, COCOMI Loumi Lup has demanded the government to pay compensation for 9719 hectares, which are lying uncultivated due to the crisis, as per survey conducted by five farmers' bodies.
Addressing a press meet at COCOMI office here on Thursday, COCOMI Loumi Lup coordinator Konthoujam Thoiba said that five farmers' bodies namely AMPFA, LOUSAL, APFAa, Lallup and LOYALUP conducted surveys of paddy fields, where farm works could not be carried out due to security reasons during the crisis, which has been continuing for five months.
Following the survey, the five farmers' bodies proposed to the government to pay compensation for 9719 hectares of affected farmlands.
However, the government report dated July 15 approved only Rs 38.6 lakh for 5127 hectares, which is unacceptable, he said while demanding the government to cover all the 9719 hectares.
Besides, several poultry and livestock farmers are also affected by the crisis.
As such, the government should compensate loss suffered by the livestock farmers and to announce a special package for waiving bank loans for such affected farmers.
He further appealed to the government to take up alternative arrangements for farmlands, where paddy crops could not be cultivated due to late and deficit rainfall, and also for a relief package for affected families, who have returned to their homes for providing a fresh lease of livelihood.
Informing that some paddy fields are being cultivated under security protection, he urged the government to form a state level monitoring committee to provide security cover until they are harvested.
He also urged the government for providing a secured environment for farmers in their field so that the impact of the crisis on food security could be minimised.