Manipur Minister Th Biswajit on Thursday opined that it is better to punish poppy planters rather than giving opportunity and suggested that the state government announce a strong punishment for poppy plantation.
The minister was responding to a starred question put up by MLA Paolienlal Haokip regarding alternative livelihood of poppy planters.
Biswajit further informed that the forest department is taking up afforestation programmes in degraded forest lands including the barren lands affected by the poppy plantations. However, there is no specific programme for afforestation of barren areas affected by poppy plantation at present, the minister added.
The minister said that the horticulture and soil conservation department has submitted a project proposal ‘Alternative livelihood for poppy farmers with permanent (terrace) cultivation on jhum lands through integrated approach in the hill districts of Manipur’ to DoNER which includes plantation of high value crops or fruits.
Forest department has also carried out plantation over 142 hectares of barren lands affected by poppy plantation, he said, adding that the project ‘Alternative livelihood for poppy farmers with permanent cultivation on jhum lands through integrated approach in the hill district of Manipur’ includes plantation of high value crops or fruits over 10,000 acres in poppy affected areas as an alternative livelihood to poppy farmers.
Minister also said for the addition of bamboo plantation between plantation drives which is going on in the entire state. While, regarding those poppy planters or farmers who claimed to be jobless, the minister opined that for the last many years the state government appealed to them to stop poppy plantation and vast awareness had been given to stop it. But, due to the eagerness of earning more and easy money, they have been planting poppies, creating lots of trouble for the government and as well as affecting youth, the minister said.
If they are not listening and continuing the plantation, then there is no need for alternation; it is better to punish them, the minister said. Because of them, half of the population of youths, who are the future, are destroyed. It is better to destroy poppy planters and save the youths, he added.
Minister also responded that the order issued by assistant settlement officers for exclusion of villages from Churachandpur, Khoupum protected forest area, and other protected forests, were in violation of section 29 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the office memorandum was issued without authority and without approval of the government. Therefore, the state government has taken a decision and conveyed approval for cancellation of the order.
Replying to MLA K Ranjit starred questions, the power minister said that MANIREDA is preparing for implementation of two solar power plants of 50MW. It will be implemented at a free area near 132/33 KV sub-station 18. Two solar power plants of 50MW will generate 60-70 power, he informed.
While implementing the solar power plant, as of now, the state government is not spending any amount, he added.
He also mentioned that due to low radiation and low rate, the tender process stopped at Jiribam 100MW and 50MW Solar Plant.
On the question raised by MLA Th Lokeshwar Singh, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Letpao Haokip said that under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), vegetables seeds and spices seeds are provided to the people as an alternative to Poppy cultivation in hill areas.
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