So far 2,1,240 bags of fertilizers distributed – O Lukhoi
IT News
Imphal, Aug 23:
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh finally intervene and come to the rescue of his fellow Agriculture Minister as two opposition Congress MLAs – K Ranjit and O Surjakumar today started drilling over the irregularities in the distribution of fertilizers to farmers in a call attention motion today during the ongoing 13th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
As MLA Surjakumar and K Ranjit drilled the Agriculture Minister to constitute a House Committee to enquire about the irregularities in the distribution of Fertilizers, Agriculture Minister O Lukhoi stuck on with his stand and time and again repeated that there are no irregularities to the distribution of Fertilizer. As the two MLA tried to continue, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stood up and said that the matter will look on and ended the matter
Moving the calling attention motion MLA K Ranjit categorically stated that there are lapses in the distribution of the fertilizers to the farmer. He said the farmers have been facing a hard time due to the Covid-19 pandemic since last year and later when they were ready for cultivation scarcity of water had made them worried and later after some rains come now these farmers are worried due to the non-availability of fertilizers. Even a young farmer had died for the first time in the state of Manipur while trying to get one.
“Everywhere, may it be in Kumbi, Langmeidong or at various part paddy field farmers are demanding fertilizers”, Ranjit said and added that the government authority said that they distributed the fertilizers at district headquarters and then later at DAO and then through MLAs and then later through intending candidates.
“During curfew and lockdown how could a farmer from my village which is 38 kilometers from Kakching district HQ where the fertilizers were distributed get it and through what means”, Ranjit said pointing that there is a complete failure to the distribution of fertilizers.
MLA Surjakumar while expressing deep shock at the death of a young farmer while on his way to get his share of fertilizers, questioned the concerned Agriculture Minister on why the department could not arrange overtime work for its staff as it is known that people waiting day ahead in the queue and stand for the whole night to get their share of fertilizers.
“These farmers are made waited in the queue for hours and the staffs responsible for the distribution of the fertilizers open just for 5 hours including lunch break”, Surjakanta said how could it not be irregularities to the distribution of fertilizers. Moreover, the way the distribution is taking place – from DC to DAO, to MLAs, and then to intending candidates when the real farmers are buying at a high price.
Replying to the calling attention motion the Agriculture Minister refuses to accept that there is any failure to the distribution system. He said that there is an adequate number of fertilizers and it is due to the Point of Sales (PoS) apparatus introduced by the government of India that took long in the distribution of the fertilizers.
7776 bags of Fertilizers were distributed to 675 beneficiaries in Khundrakpam AC.
Agriculture Minister O Lukhoi today said that a total of 7776 bags of fertilizers have been distributed to 675 beneficiaries in Khundrakpam Assembly constituency. Answering a question by Congress MLA Lokeshore, the Agriculture Minister said that no water pump set has been distributed to any of the beneficiaries of Khundrakpam Assembly constituency
