IMPHAL, Sept 2: As the state government failed to fulfil its promises, famers body came to the rescue of drought affected fields of Ngairangbam and Maklang in Imphal West district.
The Nongchup Imphal Loumee-Sinmee Chaokhat Thourang Lup (NILSCTL) starting from today onwards organized a programme to provide water using water pumps to the fields of Ngairangbam and Maklang in Imphal West district.
Briefing media persons at the site, Sarat Kumar Asem, secretary of NILSCTL, said that finally the plants have reached its stage of ripening but due to lack of rainfall now the farmers are shaking with fear that the plants might not be able to bear fruits.
This is the reason why we are compelled to take up this step of watering the fields by ourselves as the government have failed to fulfil its promises.
“We are using five water pumps on rent at the cost of rupees 150 per hour each. We are pumping the water from the Maharani Loukol Pukhri, which is within the field area, and we are spreading the water in every corner of Ngairangbam and Maklang field areas by using these pumps,” he said.
He continued that they have started this programme of watering dry fields of Ngairangbam and Maklang fields starting from today onwards and it will take four to five days to cover the whole area.
Expressed his disappointment towards the state government for not fulfilling its promises that the government will provide water pumps to those fields affected by the drought like situation, he said that even now if the government provide water pumps and water the dry fields, 50 percent can still bear fruits.
But unfortunately the state government has turned a deaf ear towards the farmers cry, he added.