IMPHAL, July 27: With the state government unable to bring out an adequate solution for the drought hit farmers, the All Manipur Progressive Farmers Association (AMPFA) has raise many questions on the credibility of the present state government.
Acceding to a release of AMPFA, agricultural experts told them that if the farmers failed to cultivate their fields before August 10 then the chances are very less that it will bear fruit. The state agriculture department has many Agricultural experts who also had inspected the present situation; the farmers want an answer from those experts why they have failed to cultivate the fields.
Now, under Agriculture Head Office there is DAO and again under it there are many circles divided in which EO look after their respective areas. Instead of them doing their Job why the ministers have to go inspect the fields, supply water pumps to the farmers etc., it said.
Unsatisfied with the government’s inaction the farmers arises many question on the credibility of the state government.
“Who are we supposed to complain for the drought hit farmers? What is the need of spending huge amounts to buy water pumps every time a drought occurs? The employees of the State Agriculture department would have done their duties, if the concern minister looks after the department seriously? And the farmers would have cooperated with the department if they had provided assistance.”
“If the water pumps were stored at the Agriculture Department godown would it be lost? And where are those water pump sets distributed to the MLAs/ministers after spending Rs nine crore fourty lakhs sanction during 2009/10 drought in the state.”
The drought has hit the state due to lack of proper planning by the state government so the government should take full responsibility of the situation. The government should know that farmers are responsible of the food production, it added.
Meanwhile, a release of Manipur Loumi Lup has said that the farmers will start various forms of agitating if drought is not declared in the state in the coming cabinet meeting to be held on July 30.