Ministers review availability of food grains & smooth flow of essential commodities in Cachar

April 19: Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary and Town & Country Planning Atul Bora along with Minister of Water Resources, Assam, Keshab Mahanta and Minister, Food & Civil Supply Phani Bhushan Choudhury visited three Districts of Barak Valley on Sunday. At Silchar, a review meeting was held in the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner which was chaired by Atul Bora.

A threadbare discussion was held with various departments including food and civil supply, water resources and agriculture department. The food and civil supply Minister ,Phani Bhushan Choudhury stressed that additional rice under PMGKAY allocated for the month of April should reach the beneficiaries within the stipulated time and strict disciplinary action should be taken in case of malpractices by any dealers.

On being asked by the Agriculture Minister, L.I. Singh, DAO, Cachar told that that during the Lockdown period the Department has taken up the measures of collection of vegetables from the farmers & its followup sale through grocery shops as well as spot sale benefited 400 farmers of the district. He also informed that a sum of approximately Rs.1.20 crore was earned by the farmers as on date. In this connection 27 number of 4 wheelers & 36 hand carts were permitted by the district administration to cater to the need of the public during the lockdown phase.

Deputy speaker, Assam Legislative assembly, Aminul Haque Lasker suggested that the field functionaries of the Department may identify the small & marginal farmers for collection of their vegetable produce & one whole sale Mandi may be allowed in the premises of Agriculture department located at Meherpur, Silchar so that such farmers can sell their vegetables etc. by maintaining Covid-19 guidelines.

Forest, Fishery and Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya expressed his satisfaction with the activities taken up by the Agriculture Department during this extraordinary situation & efforts of the district authority were also lauded. Taking part in the discussion, Agriculture Minister stated that the seeds for the upcoming agricultural activities is likely to arrive in the district within a day or two & as such the departmental authority may identify the beneficiaries in consultation with the district administration for its subsequent distribution.

Regarding the distribution of Tractors under CMSGUY, the minister said that these should be distributed to those beneficiaries who have already deposited the beneficiary share. The same was suggested to be given immediately LAC wise following guidelines of Covid-19. The Minister also directed to distribute power tillers in the similar way.

The Minister also asked the DAO, Cachar to prepare a detailed LAC Wise report on the beneficiaries actually benefited under MMKSSY & PM- KISHAN scheme to have cash assistance in their respective Bank account with reference to the actual number of such beneficiaries selected. Regarding opening of the shops of seed, fertilizer & pesticides (both wholesale & retail), the Minister asked the Deputy commissioner to issue necessary permission as per standing guidelines of the Govt.of India under Covid-19.

The Minister of Water Resources, Keshab Mahanta stressed upon the ongoing important schemes which was stopped due to lockdown to be immediately resumed after getting permission from District administration. The executive engineer, Silchar Water Resources Division was instructed to pursue the matter with the Deputy Commissioner, Cachar immediately and work is to be started by Monday after getting necessary approval.

Keshab Mahanta mentioned that the works are to be executed by engaging minimum labourers by maintaining social distancing as per COVID-19 guidelines. The meeting was also attended by District Development Commissioner, Cachar, Jessica Lalsim Additional Deputy Commissioner A.R Majumder and Additional Deputy Commissioner Sumit Sattawan.