Drought tag sought

IMPHAL, Aug 30: The Tamenglong and Noney District Village Chiefs’ Association has appealed to the State Government to declare the entire districts of Tamenglong and Noney as drought affected districts as the twin districts have received just 266 mm of rainfall against the normal rainfall of 500 mm.
A press release issued by the association’s secretary Ningtinglung Kamei informed that most of the paddy fields are lying barren on account of scanty rainfall.
While appreciating the initiatives taken up by the Government to ameliorate farmers’ suffering by way of distributing water pump sets for drawing water to paddy fields, it decried that these initiatives are yet to reach the hill districts.
It also appreciated the steps taken up  by Chief Minister N Biren to tackle the drought like situation in the State by calling a meeting of all stake holders tomorrow.
A similar drought like situation occurred in Tamenglong and Noney districts in 2014 which greatly affected agricultural activities. However, the State Government did not take up any substantial measures to lessen the suffering of farmers, in spite of taking cognizance of the gravity of the situation at that time, it decried.
The association appealed to the State Government to deal with the drought situation prevailing in the twin districts with all seriousness as nearly 11,000 hectares of paddy fields have been affected at Tamei, Taosem, Tamenglong, Khoupum, Nungba, Haochong and Nungba sub-division.
It further appealed to the State Government to take up the matter with the Central Government in right earnest with regard to the drought like situation and exert pressure on the Central Government for declaring Manipur as a drought hit State.