Imphal, August 30: Taking strong exception to the failure of the State Government to provide fertilizers to farmers in time and at the rate fixed by the Government, the Nongchup Imphal Loumee Shinmee Chaokhat Thourang Lup has decided to launch various forms of agitation.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, general secretary of Nongchup Imphal Loumee Shinmee Chaokhat Thourang Lup, Konthoujam Thoiba asserted that fertilizer is being sold at a price higher than the rate fixed by the Government.

He also accused the Government of doing nothing to provide fertilizers to farmers in time.

Asking whether the Government was scheming to cause food scarcity among the farmers and workers, Thoiba said that various forms of agitation will be launched in association with farmers of the State.

Even as some fertilizer carriers have arrived at Imphal after being stranded for several days in Nagaland following landslide on NH 39, there is little hope that the Government would be able to provide the required quantity of fertilizers to farmers in time, he disclosed.

Asserting that Ministers and MLAs were 'snatching' fertilizers from the trucks which have arrived at Imphal in Kangla, Thoiba noted that under the existing circumstances, some fertilizer laden trucks have disappeared after reaching Sekmai.

Taking part in the press meet, president of the Lup RS Khuraijam said that the Government gave permission to 61 dealers to bring in fertilizer to the State.

Out of these 61 dealers, 21 dealers have stopped transporting fertilizers.

Only 40 dealers have been transporting fertilizer to the State.

Regarding distribution/sale of fertilizer imported till date, the Lup would launch an investigation over the District Agriculture Officer and sub-divisional Agriculture officers, RS Khuraijam said.

Alleging that the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation had written to the State Government informing about 12 dealers selling off fertilizer in black market from this year's total quota allotted to the State, he accused the Agriculture Department of condoning these dealers even as they deserved to be blacklisted.

Moreover, the Government remains a silent spectator when many dealers are selling fertilizer at increased rate.

Pointing out all such alleged failures on the part of the incumbent Agriculture Minister, he demanded that the Minister should resign.

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