Tuiṭhaphai, July 9, 2020: Leaders of Saikot Sub Division Demand Cum Development Committee (SSDDC) on Thursday met Manipur Chief Secretary Suresh Babu and apprised him of the hardship faced by farmers in Churachandpur valley.
SSDDC leaders led by its chairman Timothy Z Zote had submitted a memorandum to the government on June 20 mentioning that farmers could not start cultivating their land due to insufficient rain and urged the government to release water from Khuga Dam via the existing canals for irrigation purposes.
“We met Chief Secretary Pu Suresh Babu and he gave us ample time to explain the hardship faced by farmers in Churachandpur valley, especially in the Saikot Sub-Division area. He told us the government is keen to solve the irrigation issue,” Zote said, after the meeting.
The Chief Secretary immediately directed Water Resource Commissioner Jacintha Lazarus to look into the issue. Jacintha on the same day asked Chief Engineering, Water Resources, to conduct an on-spot assessment of the Khuga Dam canal system so that issues faced by local farmers can be solved.
“We are happy to note that we have a responsive administration and we hope that the officials will soon solve the irrigation issue not just for this year, but for the long term as well,” Zote said.