IMPHAL, August 11: The state BJP today convened a press conference at its state office regarding the sale of fertilizers in the state.
Speaking to media persons, vice president of the party, Salam Ibohal decried the action taken up by the state government regarding the sale of fertilizers in the state.
He continued that the BJP will table the state issue in the Parliament.
He lamented the government’s failure to act out even after the lack of rain in the state has negatively affected the farmers in the state.
He said as the time for the sowing rice saplings have passed, there is a general believe of shortage of food in the state next year, which will mostly affect the poorer section of the state.
The party vice president continued that on July 17, the state cabinet had sanctioned Rs 9.60 crores to acquire 10 metric tonne fertilizers from the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer board.
He further alleged there was corruption in the awarding of the transportation work order. He said the government failed to invite tenders regarding the transportation of the fertilizers, instead the government chose transporters according to their own accord.
He continued that out of the 10 metric tonne fertilizer which was to be transported into the state; only 2 metric tonnes have been transported while the whereabouts of the remaining quantity of fertilizer remains unknown.
The government of India had announced the price of a 50 kg Urea bag at Rs 268, while the Manipur government has announced the price of the same quantity of Urea at Rs 290, however farmers had to dished out from Rs 350 to Rs 400 to buy on bag of fertilizer.
The bags are always lighter by 10 to 15 kgs and it is suspected that the bags are repackaged in the state.
The state unit of the BJP further demanded the government to stop the repackaging of the bags in the state.
The party has also demanded the government to form a committee to look into the alleged black-marketing of fertilizers in the state and to punish anyone found guilty and to bring a white paper on the issue.