Frequent floods, droughts testify poor governance: MPDF
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 04 2022:
Manipur People's Democratic Front (MPDF) has contended that the occurrence of frequent floods and droughts in the state is due to poor governance.
Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club, here, on Sunday, MPDF secretary Sapam Samungou said that the frequent occurrences of floods and droughts indicate that the four government departments, namely Agriculture, Water Resource, Minor Irrigation and CADA are not functioning properly.
When compared to other states, Manipur is quite small in size.
As such, it is hard to understand why it is so difficult to irrigate the valley areas and adopt flood-prevention measures.
He further remarked that the works done by the four departments till date are not proportionate to the funds sanctioned on yearly basis.
In addition to making the efforts to save around 80 per cent of the tributaries which are at the risk of disappearance, steps need to be taken up to dredge the rivers flowing through the valley by about 6ft deep, he suggested.
Samungou then urged the government to come up with some guidelines to alleviate the difficulties faced by farmers every year.
Joining the media briefing Front president ex-MLA N Nodiachand said that fertilisers are of no use to farmers if there is no water available to irrigate the fields.
Thus, in addition to ensuring proper irrigation facilities, the government should take the responsibility for preventing occurrence of frequent floods and droughts every year in the state.