SC farmers allege irregularities in NEC-Funded Dairy Project in Thoubal and Kakching districts

Farmers belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community in Thoubal and Kakching districts have expressed strong dissatisfaction against the Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry over what they allege are irregularities in the implementation of a cattle rearing project funded by the North Eastern Council (NEC). The project, titled “Dairy Farming – A Way of Life for Scheduled Caste Farmers (Manipur),” was sanctioned with a total amount of Rs.14.25 crore for 612 beneficiaries across the state, of which 179 farmers in Kakching and 178 in Thoubal were selected as beneficiaries, making a total of 369 in the two districts.
According to the Detailed Project Report, the project involves the procurement of high-yielding pregnant heifers, provision of animal insurance, supply of concentrate feed, skill development training, construction of cattle sheds, distribution of equipment and utensils, and technology support in the form of computers and printers. The DPR earmarked Rs.8.87 crore for the purchase of 612 heifers, Rs.53.24 lakh for insurance, Rs.7.3 crore for feed, Rs.20.62 lakh for training, and Rs.2.27 crore for cattle sheds, which after adding cost index, GST, labour cess, contingency and agency charges amounted to Rs. 3.04 crore. Ground reports confirm that construction of cattle sheds for the 369 farmers in Thoubal and Kakching has already been completed.
However, farmers allege serious lapses in the conduct of the skill development training which was supposed to be a compulsory five-day programme on scientific cattle rearing. Instead of the full duration, only three days of training were held at Langmeidong Dramatic Union Hall and another day at the Thoubal District Veterinary Office. Beneficiaries also complained that they were given only Rs.100 each as travel and daily allowance, while Scheduled Caste farmers from Imphal East district were reportedly provided Rs.300 for similar training. Several beneficiaries further alleged that they were made to sign blank Acquittance Payment Receipts, fuelling suspicion of manipulation of funds.
One of the farmers from Thoubal district expressed deep frustration while speaking to Imphal Times, questioning why farmers in Kakching and Thoubal were treated differently from those in other districts and why they were compelled to sign blank documents. Farmers also raised concern that some who constructed cattle sheds adjacent to one another were told they would receive only one cattle between them, despite having fulfilled all the required criteria under the scheme.
The grievances have raised serious doubts over the transparency and accountability of the project’s implementation under the office of the Joint Director of Veterinary, Thoubal. Farmers are now demanding that both the NEC and the state government conduct an immediate inquiry into the alleged irregularities and ensure that the project benefits reach the intended Scheduled Caste beneficiaries in full.