SILCHAR, Sept 12 - Sluggish pace of implementing public utility schemes in Barak Valley has irked State Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Atul Bora.
Addressing farmers after laying the foundation stones for respective Soil Testing Laboratories for Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts under RIDF here, Bora expressed his concern on the lack of sincerity among the bureaucrats and officials of Barak Valley in particular to implement manifold schemes floated by the Government for the beneficiaries in agriculture and animal husbandry sectors. �Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given special focus on developing the agricultural sector and introduced many schemes for the welfare of farmers. Also, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has been striving for maintaining the spirit through various activities in the State. However, the officials must echo the same and work to implement the schemes which shall help the farmers maximise their produce,� Bora said.
He was quick to add while steps are being taken to accrue the farmers with over 1 lakh pumpsets in electric, diesel and solar variants, the poor rate of adoption in Barak Valley is a cause of concern. In his words, the cultivators in southern Assam districts must be encouraged for double and even multiple cropping efforts which shall help them to earn more. He informed that along with seven laboratories already in operation, 21 new soil testing and quality control laboratories including three in Barak Valley shall take full effect soon. Soil Health cards were ceremoniously handed over to farmers on the occasion in presence of Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy, Deputy Speaker Aminul Haque Laskar, former Union Minister Kabindra Purakayastha and other officials and dignitaries.
Later, Bora who is also heading the Department of Animal Husbandry, inaugurated the newly-constructed office building at the office premises of the department at Hospital Road here. Bora maintained that clear instructions have been issued for involving the local elected representatives and panchayat functionaries and specific timeline has been set before the officials to work and implement schemes meant for the people. Meanwhile, being asked on the alleged scams regarding smuggling of fertilisers from Assam, Bora clarified that the issue has been raised in the floor of the Assembly and a thorough probe is being conducted to identify the real foul players.
