Amend Paddy Land Act : LOUSAL
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, January 31 2023: The Loumi Sinmi Apunba Lup (LOUSAL) has appealed to the State Government to amend the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2014 and prevent excavation of earth from paddy lands using heavy machinery.

Today, members of LOUSAL went on a tour at Langathel village in Thoubal district and inspected the condition of the paddy lands there.

The inspecting team said that digging up of soil from large tracts of paddy fields and piling it up in other fields hamper the production of rice and vegetables.

Speaking to media persons, LOUSAL president Mutum Churamani Meitei claimed that many wealthy individuals have been extracting soil (about 3 feet deep) from vast tracts of paddy fields (2 thousand pari of land) lying adjacent to Langathel Village using heavy machinery.

Saying that such rampant extraction of top and nutritious soil from paddy fields will hamper the production of rice and vegetables for another five or six years, he appealed to the State Government to protect the arable land from such activities by amending the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2014 .

Some influential people are seemingly violating the Wetland Act against the interest of farmers, Churamani said and added that an awareness must be built about the consequence of removing top soil from paddy fields even if the extraction works are being carried out after reaching an agreement with the land owners.

Saying that paddy fields will not be productive if its top soil is removed, the LOUSAL president continued that extraction of soil also affects the adjacent paddy lands.

Appealing to the Government to add a clause to Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2014 and prevent removal of top soil from paddy fields, Churamani continued that such activities which benefit only a handful of people will affect the lives of farmers greatly.

He also appealed to the Government to not side with the people who excavate soil from paddy lands and take up necessary actions.

LOUSAL Thoubal Unit president Puyam Budhi also took part in the inspection tour.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Khongjom police have impounded some trucks carrying soil from Langathel village for investigations.

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