Lukhoi negates allegations

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 2 : Subsidised Urea meant for farmers have not been diverted to black markets to be sold at a higher price.
Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi said this as a response to the allegation levelled by Congress MLA K Ranjit that Urea have been diverted and sold at a higher price in the black markets during a press conference held today at his office in the Secretariat.
Speaking to the media, O Lukhoi said the allegations of the MLA might have been due to lack of knowledge and understanding of the facts and figures, however such baseless allegations against the department and the Government is absolutely uncalled for and unfortunate.
The requirement projected for Thoubal and Kakching districts for Kharif season is 64,500 bags of Urea and out of this 61,620 bags have already been released from the department to be distributed to the farmers while 2,880 bags will be released soon, he added.  MLA K Ranjit had also submitted a proposal that 8,832 bags of Urea will be enough to cater to the need of all the paddy fields in Sugnu AC while the department had projected it will need about 9,000 bags, he added. However, as of now, Sugnu AC has been given 10,505 bags of Urea and a mobile distribution of 300 bags is also planned for tomorrow at Wangoo area.
O Lukhoi lashed out at K Ranjit that the farmers of Sugnu AC have received more Urea than it was projected and as such if issues of unavailability of fertilizer is raised then it is nothing but politicising the issue to take political mileage.
Speaking to the media at the press conference, Kh Lalmani, Agriculture Director, said the farmers of hill districts have also been supplied Urea at the subsidised rate and there are official records of such distribution. Ukhrul and Kamjong districts have been given 2,900 bags, Chandel and Tengoupal 5,100 bags, Churachandpur and Pherzawl 10,700 bags, Tamenglong and Noney 700 bags while Senapati and Kangpokpi districts have been given 6,700 bags, he added.