SHILLONG: Over 200 farmers from far flung areas of the State staged a demonstration against the State Government’s failure to provide them subsidy and fertlisers here on Thursday.
The sit in demonstration organized by BJP’s Meghalaya unit saw the affected farmers holding placards and banners demanding the immediate release of fertilizers, the supply of which has been allegedly stopped by the government for the last few months.
Speaking to media persons during the demonstration, BJP Meghalaya unit general secretary Dipayan Chakraborty alleged that an official from the State had informed a committee of the Central Agricultural Ministry that Meghalaya does not need fertilizers.
“Post this, the ministry de-notified the license of all the retail fertilizer shops,” Chakraborty alleged while warning that the party would intensify its agitation if the Congress-led State Government does not resume the supply of fertilizers to the farmers.
The farmers, meanwhile, complained that agricultural produce has decreased and their economic wellbeing has been affected due to non-availability of fertilizers.
“Now farmers are forced to buy fertilizers from black market at double the price,” one of the protestors said.
BJP youth wing president, Egenstar Kurkalang said that the party had approached the Principal Secretary in charge of agriculture department in November last with the grievances of the farmers but are still awaiting response.
“We had also sought appointment with the Chief Minister, who has till date avoided meeting the farmers,” he said.
Kurkalang said that the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers had already sanctioned 1500 metric tons of fertilizers for Meghalaya to the supplier company BVFC but the State Government failed to renew the license of the company.
“Hence, the firm could not distribute the sanctioned fertilizers to the farmers,” he claimed.