Alleging that agriculture-related schemes in Manipur are not properly implemented, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has called on the government to launch an investigation in this regard.

In a release issued on Saturday, the UCM stated that various schemes are being implemented for the welfare of farmers community. However, most of the real farmers have failed to enjoy the benefits till now while officials of the department of Agriculture are trying to misappropriate the fund, the UCM alleged.

This has resulted in many farmers of the state being helpless and are unable to improve their economic condition despite the government always announcing to make Manipur a self-reliant state, the UCM added.

It further stated that the committee had filed an RTI on December 27, 2021 in the interest of farmers' community, seeking to share detailed information on schemes of Rainfed Area Development, National Food Security Mission and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

Some of the officials of the said department informed UCM that after cutting all shares, 45 per cent of total funds sanctioned for the scheme are being used for farmers. 

However, observing the present scenario, even the said amount might not have reached the actual farmers, UCM alleged, further stating that officers only focus on doing paperwork instead of interacting with the farmers or going to the fields.

It further alleged the state government of failing to chart out policies that could ensure any farmers to avail the scheme. If the government continues to neglect in this manner, the state will never become self-reliant, it added.