Based on the recommendation of a cabinet sub-committee reviewing the drought like situation in the state, Manipur government Tuesday intensified its steps being taken up to irrigate paddy field by using water pumps.

For the second time recently, cabinet of state government, Monday reviewed the drought like situation of state after the state received only 63 per cent of the average rainfall rate generally received during Kharif (summer) season.

The cabinet meeting which commenced from 4 pm discussed on report submitted by the cabinet sub-committee which was formed in the first review meeting on the drought like situation being faced by the state on July 20, said a statement issued by chief minister’s secretariat Tuesday.

After careful consideration of the report of the cabinet sub-committee, the cabinet unanimously resolved a four point decision to combat the drought like situation, the statement added.

As per the first resolution, all the RLI (River Lift Irrigation) stations will be made functional by minor irrigation department and required fuel (diesel0 will be provided by the department till the drought situation eases.

The second resolution asked the agriculture department to identify paddy fields which have no source of water and cannot be irrigated through RLI or pump sets and also to assess the extent of damage and work out a proposal for adequate support measures through alternative cropping, rabi (winter) crop or any other suitable means.

Further, the agriculture department has been directed to liaise and coordinate with other departments at both state and local level to ensure irrigation and extension of services wherever feasible in the state. The cabinet also decided to review the situation next week.

Cabinet ministers in the cabinet sub-committee divided into four teams and conducted field visits to paddy fields at Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts with MLAs of the districts to observe irrigation facilities and to examine on the drought like situation.
The field visit was later extended to three hill districts, Churachandpur, Senapati and Chandel districts.