Imphal, Apr 4 : The Central inter-ministerial team proceeded to certain interior areas of Churachandpur district Thursday to assess the condition of people reeling under the famine caused by bamboo flowering and resultant increase in rat population, an official source said.
The team headed by joint director Pankaj Kumar, department of cooperation, Union ministry of agriculture also includes Sarvan Kumar, director, planning commission, JO Sharma, assistant director, ministry of finance, Subhas Singh, assistant commissioner, ministry of rural development, Dr Biswas, director of agriculture and cooperation as well as GP Pandey, ex-director NEFCI.
Pankaj Kumar while speaking to some local journalists before the team`s departure from the district headquarter today morning said, “We are to make an assessment of the magnitude of crops destroyed by the rodent menace.”
Stating that NREGS was one of the most effective means to deal with the people affected by the rodent menace after mass bamboo flowering, he emphasized on the proper implementation of the scheme.
Reiterating that they had come to make an assessment of the situation and requirement of the people, Pankaj said additional funds would be provided after they submitted reports which would be based on their findings to the ministry of home affairs.
He also hinted at a relief package for the people and some other measures to sustain life and to support them till the next harvest after the assessment.
As far as famine was concerned, the problem faced in Manipur and Mizoram were similar, he observed.
In Manipur, the Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts were the hardest hit by the mautam although Chandel district was also affected to some extent. Churachandpur district was the most affected by rodent menace.
Mention may be made that since mass bamboo flowering occurred in two eastern districts of the state the Manipur government has implemented various programmes to overcome the rodent menace mostly under sponsorship of the Central government.
No spectacular damage to human life and economy was encountered in the district by the bamboo flowering, but there was loss of bamboos because of the flowering. Once the bamboo flowers it dies normally, the report of the district information officer said.
IFP
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