Fishermen to launch intense agitations
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 01 2012:
Demanding payment of funds to beneficiaries under Development of Water Logged Area, Pen and Cage Culture scheme for the period 2009, 2010 and 2011, Apunba Imphal West Farmers has threatened to launch intense agitations if the demand is not met at the earliest.
Talking to mediapersons at Manipur Press Club here today, Y Robindro, spokesperson of Apunba Imphal West Farmer said that under the Scheme, around 176 fishermen from Imphal West area were selected as beneficiaries for the period 2009 to 2011.However, the benefit has been deprived to the beneficiaries.
He also asserted that the funds meant for some beneficiaries under the scheme had been fraudulently withdrawn by officials concerned of the department.
Under the scheme, a beneficiary is supposed to get an amount of Rs 11,144.However, some of the beneficiaries have got only Rs 2000 to 3000, he further alleged.
Some of the beneficiaries of Imphal West, who have not received their rightful share, have already lodged complaint with the DFO of Imphal West, but still no actions have been taken up so far.
The DFO has sidelined the complaints of the farmers, he lamented, adding that if this trend continues and the farmers are deprived of their rights, there can be no development and the state will always depend on others for foods.
Robindro also disclosed that many of the farmers in Imphal West have still not received fish feeds and lime, which are supposed to be provided under RKVY scheme, though the same have been supplied to the beneficiaries on paper.
There is the need to set a departmental committee to look into the matter and ensure that all the farmers get their benefits under various Central sponsored schemes.
If necessary steps are not taken up by the authority concerned to provide the funds under Development of Water Logged Area, Pen and Cage Culture to the beneficiary farmers, various intense agitations would be launched with the support of Civil Society Organisations of the state, Robindro added.