Flood situation apprised to PM: CM Govt assures paddy seeds, transplants
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 06 2017: Taking serious of the vast tracts of paddy fields inundated at present, Chief Minister N Biren has assured that the Government would provide paddy seeds as well as paddy transplants so that paddy cultivation can be started as soon as the flood water recedes .

Briefing media persons at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat, Chief Minister N Biren informed that 40,000 hectares out of the total 1,95,000 hectares of the State's arable land (for paddy cultivation) have been inundated .

Nevertheless, the State Government has prepared paddy seeds as well as transplants of RCM 12 and MTU 1010 varieties which can be harvested within three months .

The floods have affected 14,079 hectares of paddy fields in Imphal East, 7,700 hectares in Imphal West, 9201 hectares in Bishnupur, 9000 hectares in Thoubal and 20 hectares in Ukhrul .

Informing that farmers may choose either paddy seeds or transplants, the Chief Minister stated that farmers may start cultivation of paddy as soon as flood water recedes to the desired level .

Moreover, verification process is underway to pump out water from inundated paddy fields .

With the exception of Kongba River bank, most other river banks which breached in the recent floods have been repaired and restored .

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has been apprised about the flood and its devastating impacts so that necessary relief measures can be taken for all the affected people, N Biren informed .

Even though rice allotted under National Food Security Act has its own beneficiaries and it cannot be touched, the State Government has obtained 12,000 metric tonnes of rice from the Central Government .

MLAs, local clubs and individuals may purchase this rice at the rate of Rs 12.53 per Kg, Biren stated .

CAF&PD Minister Karam Shyam who was also present at the press meet stated that most districts are yet to lift PDS rice for the months of April to June .

While appealing to all transporters and agents concerned to lift the PDS rice, Shyam informed that they may also lift rice allocation for the month of July .

Informing that around 90,550 quintals of rice are yet to be lifted, Shyam elaborated that 25075.95 quintals belong to Thoubal and Kakching, 20351.70 quintals to Bishnupur, 23672 quintals to Imphal East, 18144.05 quintals to Churachandpur and Pherzawl and 2800.63 quintals to Tengnoupal.

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