Source: The Sangai Express / Jacob Panmei
Jiribam, May 20 2009:
The sub-divisional agriculture office located here at Kalinagar is in a pitiable condition like the rest of other offices of the sub-division.
Six employees are deputed in the office with half of them are taking their jobs for granted.
The office is being cursed by the cultivators for its irregularities regarding supply of seeds.
A member of the Jiri Louni Marup complained that the seeds cannot be obtained at the pick time from the office.
The member also rued that there is no need of such office which cannot serve its purpose at the crucial time.
Replying on the allegation, Field Assistant Ranjit Dey blamed the head office in Imphal for not supplying of seeds in time for the cultivators.
He said that the supply of seeds from the State capital used to delay for a month or two.
Ranjit further said that the office is also being plagued with the lack of staff informing that atleast 10 FAs, four EOs, four field men, one peon and one chowkidar are needed, which are not fulfilled yet.
The office must receive atleast twice supply of seeds in a year which includes seeds of pea, mustard, soyabean, sagol hawai, ground nut and maize for rabi and kharif seasons.
However, it is learnt that only pea and mustard seeds are received most of the time.
Another FA S Deben said that as the office is located far away from the Jiri town, most people except some from Loumi Marup have forgotten the existence of the office.
The officials also urged the concerned authority to arrange a proper office building at near Jiri town as the current office is running in a rented house of Rs 1950 per month.