IT News
Imphal, Nov 18:
The Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014, amended in 2018- 19, turned out to be a blatant lie, as government authority turned a blind eye to the construction of permanent building structures on the agricultural lands by some politically influential individuals. In an investigation carried out by team Imphal Times, many portions of the farming land have been found with permanent constructions violating the amended Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and wetland Act.
An investigation carried out by team Imphal Times found the construction of enormous buildings on an agricultural area of more than 20 hectares in the Imphal East’s Chanung Village in Khundrakpam Assembly Constituency in Imphal East.
How and who permitted the construction of the structures on agricultural land is still confusing. As per the Paddy land conservation act, it is mandatory for individuals to get prior permission from the government if paddy land is to be converted into a commercial or educational area.
The State Government captained by Chief Minister N Biren Singh acts like they are hell-bent on protecting agricultural lands as the lawmakers emphasize the importance of agricultural land protection many a time in various events.
According to a reliable source, it is learned that construction at Chanung Village in the Khundrakpam Assembly constituency of Imphal East (adjacent to Chanung Mamang Ching) has been going on for the last few years, and an influential businessman is its owner. However, the Imphal Times is unable to ascertain the nature of the construction and the owner. Therefore, an Imphal Times team visited the Sub Deputy Collector Office in Khundrakpam to get an official statement; however, the SDC was not available in the office to comment on the matter.
Regardless, the constructions, considering the size of the area and the buildings, seem to have been done with due permission of the government. It shows how the powerful and influential people are blatantly violating the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014 (Manipur Act No. 10 of 2014) – the sole aim of which is to “conserve the paddy land and wetland and to restrict the conversion or reclamation thereof in order to promote growth in the agricultural sector in the State of Manipur.”
Mutum Churamani Meitei, president of Loumee Shinmee Apun Lup (LOUSAL), expressed that unauthorized conversion of lands for buildings and commercial uses continues to violate the Act, which is alarming for the people, and it is benefiting some few businessmen.
“In Manipur, there are around 1.95 lakh hectares of agricultural land; out of these, 88,820 hectares are in the hill areas while the remaining is in the valley. From the valley area, 20,000 hectares have been converted into fish farms, and Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) has utilized 9000 hectares,” Churamani said, adding that the State Government must be serious about conserving agricultural land and they should walk the talk.
Given the shrinking agricultural lands due to such escalating constructions despite the Act in place, the Agriculture Department must pull up its socks and look into the matter with extreme seriousness, Churamani added.
