The People’s War Group (Marxist Centre) has alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) in Manipur and threatened to take action against those it accused of depriving farmers of the benefits of the scheme.
In a statement issued by Comrade Lenin Meitei, Secretary, Central Media Co-ordinator, People’s War Group (Marxist Centre), for the Kangleipak Communist Party People’s War Group, the organisation alleged that certain individuals and firms involved in the supply of materials under the PMKSY scheme had manipulated the programme meant to benefit farmers.
The statement alleged that the nodal officer, whom the group described as having served as a nodal officer, and suppliers including M/S Symbolic Enterprise, M/S Wahengbam Irrigation Enterprise and M/S East India Machine Company were involved in irregularities. The group alleged that the firms were supplying materials under the scheme and questioned whether the benefits actually reached genuine farmers.
It further alleged that the scheme meant to benefit farmers had instead been used to create opportunities for financial gains, with several individuals who were not genuine beneficiaries allegedly being included in the scheme.
The group said it had investigated the matter to ascertain whether genuine farmers in the state had actually benefited from the PMKSY scheme. It claimed that farmers should be able to identify the benefits they had received from the scheme and urged the Manipur Loumee Marup to raise the matter with the Agriculture Department.
The statement also alleged that similar irregularities had been occurring in the state while farmers continued to face difficulties and warned that the organisation would take “firm action” against those allegedly depriving farmers of their rights.
It said that when the group takes action against those allegedly involved in exploiting farmers, no individual or organisation should undertake activities that could obstruct such action.