Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 13 2010:
The Development and Protection, United Voluntary Organisation (DPUVO), Nambol has sought clarification from Agriculture Minister, N Loken who had stated in the floor of Assembly on 9th July that the state government will make fertilizers available to the farmers at the rate of Rs 400 per bag but acted against it.
In a statement issued today by Secretary (Economic Affairs) of DPUVO, S Chandrakanta said that contrary to his announcement in the Assembly, the Agriculture Minister sold fertilizers in his Nambol constituency at the rate of Rs 500 per bag recently.
DPUVO questioned whether the excess Rs 100 is the freight charge for transporting the fertilizers from Imphal to Nambol.
The problem faced by farmers of Nambol is not shortage of fertilizers but the skyrocketed prices at which the fertilizers are available.
All kinds of fertilizers are available in plenty in the black market.
But the poor farmers cannot afford to buy these fertilizers at the sudden and sharply increase prices.
DPUVO appealed to all concerned including the government to make fertilizers available at appropriate and reasonable prices otherwise the organization will be constraint to take up strong measures against the offenders.