IMPHAL, July 21: Four ministerial teams set out in different valley districts of the state to have a firsthand assessment of the condition of the paddy fields which have been affected seriously due to scanty rainfall.
The special teams were led by the cabinet ministers. Commerce and Industries minister Govindas and IFCD minister Ngamthang Haokip led the team in Bishnupur district, education minister M Okendro and RD & PR minister Francis Ngajokpa led the team in Thoubal district, works minister Dr Kh Ratankumar and social welfare minister AK Mirabai led the team in Imphal West, Speaker Th Lokeshwar and PHED minister I Hemochandra led the team in Imphal East.
Education minister M Okendro and RD & PR minister Francis Ngajokpa along with MLA Y Surchandra Singh, MLA K Meghachandra Singh, MLA M Kunjo Singh, MLA Paonam Brojen and other officials of the agriculture department inspected the paddy fields in Thoubal district.
Speaking to media persons during the inspection tour, minister Okendro stated the irrigation system in Thoubal district especially at Wangkhem, Thoubal, Wangjing Tentha, Khongjom, Hiyanglam, Langmeidong and some part of Waikhong is in a deplorable condition.
He further maintained that the report of this inspection tour would be submitted to the authorities concerned and the state government would extend all possible support to the farmers by supplying water pumps, grains, diesel oil and fertilizers.
Okendro noted that water is available at the sources but it cannot be irrigated to the dry fields due to faulty pipelines. He emphasized on the need to augment irrigation system in view of tacking drought conditions in the state.
The other teams led by commerce and Industries minister Govindas and IFCD minister Ngamthang Haokip closely inspected the paddy fields in Bishnupur district, works minister Dr Kh Ratankumar and social welfare minister AK Mirabai also led the team in Imphal West and Speaker Th Lokeshwar and PHED minister I Hemochandra led the team in inspecting the paddy fields in Imphal East.