IMPHAL, Aug 4: Decrying the unavailability of Urea to farmers and alleging the involvement of Agriculture Officers of creating artificial scarcity in the State, members of All Manipur Women Democratic Front burnt an effigy at Senjam Chirang Youth Club today. The effigy portrayed corrupt officers of the Agriculture Department.
Secretary of the Front, Ambapati Heikham told mediapersons that despite the state government’s notification of providing Urea at a subsidized rate of Rs 278.80 Rs per bag, the agents nominated by the MLAs have been selling the bags at Rs 345 at Senjam Chirang area.
It may be mentioned that a cabinet decision had decided to provide Urea to farmers at a subsidized rate owing to the present drought like situation.
Further, the bags have been found to have less weight and sometimes upto a tune of 5 to 10 kg. Only about 160 bags have been sold by the agents, the required urea is purchased from the market at Rs 500 per bag. The farmers incur heavy financial burden in purchasing the fertilizers and the artificial scarcity should be checked by the concerned.
The women gathered at the area stated that the state government should address the urea scarcity and investigation should be handed over to the CBI. They stated that due to the poor rainfall, farming in many areas is not possible and the use of urea is the only remaining solution for the farmers.