Far too long to wait
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: July 21, 2012 -

The noncommittal stand of the state government towards the issues of prevailing drought like situation and the public demand for re-implementation of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur is very disturbing.

While the hapless farmers are keeping their hands over their hands with agricultural activities affected following deficient rainfall, the government has come up with the ludicrously fantastic idea of providing Urea at subsidized rate to the farmers.

What is the use of Urea when there is no water for cultivation?

Had there been adequate rainfall, would the government be thinking about subsidizing Urea? If the state had been receiving normal rainfall, Urea would have remained the most sought after commodity in the market today with every imaginable MLA and Minister hijacking the trucks bringing Urea along the way and they would even be fighting like cats and dogs over their supposed quota of Urea.

However, with shortage of rainfall this time, the MLAs and the Ministers are not in their usual self and Urea became the cheapest commodity, so cheap that the state government has been 'generous' enough to make Urea available at Rs 278.80 per bag of 50 kgs as against the normal rate of Rs 478.80 per bag by providing additional transport subsidy.

But the truth is, farmers are not amused when their eyes remain fixed at the empty sky above and the dried paddy fields below with no sign of any irrigational facilities, and the government needing more time to monitor the situation more closely.

On the other hand, the Private Member Resolution passed by the State Assembly on July 13 to urge the Centre for extension of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 to Manipur for enforcement of Inner Line Permit system in the state is found to have not yet been intimated to the Government of India.

That shows how committed is our Government to the demand for re-implementation of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur!

The appeal of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to the people to wait for the Centre's response to the resolution adopted by the State Assembly when the copy of the resolution has not yet been sent to the Centre even after a week is simply ridiculous.

Considering the earlier response of the Union Home Ministry to the State Cabinet decision on the issue, what would be the outcome of the Private Member Resolution adopted by the State Assembly is known to everyone.

Nonetheless, as the leader of an elected government, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh should have at least conveyed the resolution right away instead of asking the people to wait for Centre's response and advising them to use the existing land judiciously, thereby exposing the non-committal stand of the government over an issue, the negligence of which would have far reaching impact.

Amid all these, we just wonder where the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System has gone. Hibernation, perhaps, to wait till November 18.

Doesn't that sound familiar? You betcha!