With deep concern, the leaders’ Conference on Combating Famine (attended by 220 Leaders) held at Mualnuam, Thanlon sub-division, Churachandpur District jointly organized by Zomi Economic Planning & Development Agency and Manipur Hills Journalist Union during February 8-9 2008 unanimously declared that Churachandpur District face Famine condition due to successive crop failure triggered by the ill effects of Mautaam (Bamboo Flowering) and natural calamities. The Hon’ble MLA of Thanlon and Singngat, the DC/CCpur and most of the District level officer also participated in the Conference. Besides, the Hon’ble Minister Churachandpur A/C extended financial assistant and commit moral support; the Saikot A/C and the MLAs of Henglep and Tipaimukh A/C commits their support for the cause. The conference makes the following recommendations in the form of demands to combat the disastrous Famine:-
1. The state Government should recognize that Churachandpur District reels under a disastrous famine. In order to systematically address the issue as was done in the case of Mizoram, it should immediately send detail report about the disaster to appropriate authority in the centre Government.
2. The Government’s initiative to provide famine relief through the existing welfare schemes such as NREGS, VGBs, etc. at this hour of crisis are appreciated. Yet such efforts are found to be starkly inadequate considering the magnitude of the calamity. Monitoring mechanism for the effective implementation need to be strengthened.
3. (a). All PDS supply items like rice, sugar, kerosene and wheat earmarked for the district should be fully delivered on regular basis. A firm monitoring network in the PDS supply system is called for.
(b). Lack of motorability in the existing arterial roads within the district is a serious concern. It has slackened transportation of the PDS items and other essential commodities. The state government should execute and entrust black topping of such roads to a reliable agency forthwith.
(c). The state government should immediately defray the outstanding dues and also future transportation cost of PDS items from Sangaiprou FCI godown to PDCs and PDSCs in the district. The present practice of realizing the transportation cost from the poor beneficiaries is blatant exploitation.
(d). The state government should treat all families living in the affected villages of the villages of the district as BPL category for purposes of PDS supply and other such food grain components till the Famine subsides.
(e). The state government should arrange Credit facility of six months for every delivery of PDS items for Churachandpur District till the famine subsides.
(f). The state government should formally propose/recommend to the concern authorities for the construction to 5000 MT capacity FCI godown at Lamka, Churachandpur.
4. Special Economic packages/New Projects/Schhemes proposal should be prepared through the DRDA to directly tackle the famine situation.
5. Contributions/Donations from various NGOs, institutions, civil societies and individuals both inland and abroad to help the famine victims are welcome. The distribution of such donations be centralized to ensure equitable distribution among the affected people.
6. Unless immediate remedial measures cited above are taken up by the government on war footing there is a likelihood of large scale public resentment/outrages/unrest for which the blame may be placed upon the state government.
7. (a). Resource Maping of the district is necessary to introduce land based agrarian reform initiative.
(b). An “Indigenous Popular Initiative” should be actively encouraged to build up sustainable economy among the farmers of the district.
Organizing Committee
Leaders’ Conference on Combating Famine
-----------------------------------------
Memorandum Submitted to the Chief Minister, Manipur by the Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency & the Manipur Hill Journalist Union for Combating Famine in Churachandpur District, Manipur
Hon'ble Sir,
Your good self may be aware of the successive crop failure in Churachandpur district which caused a disastrous famine. The famine was caused by the ill effects of Mautam (Bamboo flowering) coupled with weather extremities. The Leaders Conference on Combating Famine was held at Mualnuam Village during February 8-9-2008. The recommendations and demands of the conference titled. "Mualnuam Declaration on Combating Famine" is enclosed. We the undersigned humbly submit the following demands:
1. There is famine in Churachandpur District. 'We demand that immediate relief in the form of Gratuitous relief. Supplementary nutrition and Agricultural input subsidy should be provided to the affected population.
2. The famine situation in the district is not yet known to the Central Government while Mizoram, which faced similar Mautaam Famine begun receiving famine relief. We demand that the State Government should send detail report about the famine situation in the district to the appropriate authority of the Central Government for systematic redressal.
3. Elected Public Representatives complained that some Underground elements were demanding 30% during lifting of PDS items from the FCS Godown in Sangaiprou, Imphal. We demand that Security should be provided sufficiently at the FCS Godown in Sangaiprou to thwart such attempts.
4. The two Arterial Roads in the district- Tipaimukh road (NH-150) and Guite road (MDR) - are unmotorable in rainy days. Blacktopping of both the Roads would make them motorable year-round. We demand that the black topping of both the roads should be undertaken on top priority by entrusting the works to any reliable Agency.
5. The beneficiaries of PDS supply in Churachandpur district were supplied BPL Rice @ Rs. 10 per kg. in the PDCs/PDSCs against Rs. 6.50 per kg fixed by the Government. Because the transport cost of PDS rice was not paid by the State Government. We demand that the pending transportation bills should be paid by the State Government and also future transportation costs.
6. We demand that all families affected by the Mautaam famine should be placed in the BPL category for purposes of PDS supply till the famine subsides.
7. The people affected by Mautaam famine lack cash and kind to purchase the PDS supply. We demand that all monthly delivery of the PDS items should be allowed credit facility for 6 month each.
8. (a). We demand that the State Govt. should arrange the construction of SOOOMT capacity FCI Godown at Lamka, Churachandpur.
b) The provision of Famine relief through the existing centrally sponsored schemes will be starkly in adequate. It is, therefore demanded that new Project proposals be made through DRDA to effectively counter the famine and its probable recurrence.
Unless immediate remedial measures cited above are taken up by the Government on a war footing, there is the likelihood of large scale public resentment/outrage/ unrest for which the blame may be placed upon the State Government. Hence, this charter of demand.
Yours faithfully
Dated: Lamka
The 12th Feb., 2008
Sd/-
(P. Khupsuanmung)
Working Chairman
ZEPADA
Sd/-
(L. Chinkhanlian) President, MHJU
Copy for information and necessary action to:
1. All Hon'ble Minister/MLAs, Churachandpur District Shri……………….
2. Hon'ble Minister (FCS)
3. Hon'ble Chairman, HAC
4. All MPs from Manipur
5. The Editor, for kind publication.
6. G/File
Sd/-
(K. Vungzamawi) Secretary, ZEPADA
Sd/-
(F. Zohmingliana) Secretary, MHJU
----------------------
Paper presented in the
"LEADERS' CONFERENCE ON COMBATING FAMINE"
At Mualnuam Village, Thanlon Sub-Division, Churachandpur District
By ZEPADA, DELHI WORKING GROUP
on January 28-29, 2008.
PART-I: THE PROBLEM
The dependence of most Villages in the hills of Churachandpur District solely upon jhumming cultivation of rice has been fraught with the risk of food scarcity. The onset of ominous Mautaam since 200 coupled with adverse weather vagaries have caused a very sharp decline in crop production. In 2008 AD, we confront a disastrous famine.
2. The following governmental measures are available to a State reeling under disaster condition:
---
REMEDIAL STEPS
1) State Government (Home Department) to report the problem to the MHA (NDM Division) Govt. of India
2) MHA to send Study Team & receive the report
3) High Level Committee in the MHA to examine and recommend actions.
4) Concern Ministries etc to act/follow up according)
---
ACTION BY MANIPUR GOVT.
1). Not yet reported.
2). Dependent on report by State Government.
3). Not yet applicable.
4). Not yet applicable.
---
Mizoram also face Mautaam famine similar to Churachandpur District. They have anticipated the same 3 - 4 years ago and the State Government formally took ui: the issue with the Central Government. The Centre extends sufficient assistance to meet their basic needs. The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution told the ZEPADA, Delhi Working Group on January 8, 2008 at New Delhi that he is willing to extend similar assistance to Churachandpur District.
3. All of us are aware of the existing Governmental Welfare schemes in the district, such as:
1). PDS supplies of rice etc through FCS Department. However no FCI Godown is expected in Lamka till 2012.
2). Village Grain Banks already opened in 25 villages of 3 Sub-Divisions in Churachandpur District. But no proposal for further addition.
3). Schemes under DRDA with Wage + Food Component.
4. In addition a few individuals and organizations have expressed willingness to contribute to famine relief/aid.
Paper presented by
ZEPADA, DELHI WORKING GROUP
on JANUARY 28-29, 2008.
PART-II: THE SOLUTION
The situation calls for proactive responses to provide the basic human needs. It is therefore imperative to immediately begin the following remedial measures:
i). The State Government should send a report to the Central Government.
ii). Public Distribution System & Village Grain Banks should be made fully functional, their distribution streamlined and monitored properly.
iii). The schemes under District Rural Development Agency should be implemented in letter and spirit and customized to meet the famine condition.
iv). New project proposals should be prepared in the DRDA to directly tackle the famine situation.
v). The distribution of NGO relief fund/materials should be centralized to ensure equitable distribution.
2. The evolvement and improvement of agrarian reform initiatives among the village farmers in Churachandpur District is the need of the day. The conventional assistance enjoyed by our people from Government/Financial Institutions/Sponsors for economic activities should concurrently be utilized to promote "indigenous popular initiatives" towards self-sufficiency. The continued existence of our villages as viable social units will depend on our ability to evolve land based Agrarian reform initiatives. A comprehensive action plan is needed to suitably reward the sweats of farmers tilling those fertile and productive landscapes of the district to develop a sound economy. It is the challenge to be met, and to succeed against all odds.
1. The state Government should recognize that Churachandpur District reels under a disastrous famine. In order to systematically address the issue as was done in the case of Mizoram, it should immediately send detail report about the disaster to appropriate authority in the centre Government.
2. The Government’s initiative to provide famine relief through the existing welfare schemes such as NREGS, VGBs, etc. at this hour of crisis are appreciated. Yet such efforts are found to be starkly inadequate considering the magnitude of the calamity. Monitoring mechanism for the effective implementation need to be strengthened.
3. (a). All PDS supply items like rice, sugar, kerosene and wheat earmarked for the district should be fully delivered on regular basis. A firm monitoring network in the PDS supply system is called for.
(b). Lack of motorability in the existing arterial roads within the district is a serious concern. It has slackened transportation of the PDS items and other essential commodities. The state government should execute and entrust black topping of such roads to a reliable agency forthwith.
(c). The state government should immediately defray the outstanding dues and also future transportation cost of PDS items from Sangaiprou FCI godown to PDCs and PDSCs in the district. The present practice of realizing the transportation cost from the poor beneficiaries is blatant exploitation.
(d). The state government should treat all families living in the affected villages of the villages of the district as BPL category for purposes of PDS supply and other such food grain components till the Famine subsides.
(e). The state government should arrange Credit facility of six months for every delivery of PDS items for Churachandpur District till the famine subsides.
(f). The state government should formally propose/recommend to the concern authorities for the construction to 5000 MT capacity FCI godown at Lamka, Churachandpur.
4. Special Economic packages/New Projects/Schhemes proposal should be prepared through the DRDA to directly tackle the famine situation.
5. Contributions/Donations from various NGOs, institutions, civil societies and individuals both inland and abroad to help the famine victims are welcome. The distribution of such donations be centralized to ensure equitable distribution among the affected people.
6. Unless immediate remedial measures cited above are taken up by the government on war footing there is a likelihood of large scale public resentment/outrages/unrest for which the blame may be placed upon the state government.
7. (a). Resource Maping of the district is necessary to introduce land based agrarian reform initiative.
(b). An “Indigenous Popular Initiative” should be actively encouraged to build up sustainable economy among the farmers of the district.
Organizing Committee
Leaders’ Conference on Combating Famine
-----------------------------------------
Memorandum Submitted to the Chief Minister, Manipur by the Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency & the Manipur Hill Journalist Union for Combating Famine in Churachandpur District, Manipur
Hon'ble Sir,
Your good self may be aware of the successive crop failure in Churachandpur district which caused a disastrous famine. The famine was caused by the ill effects of Mautam (Bamboo flowering) coupled with weather extremities. The Leaders Conference on Combating Famine was held at Mualnuam Village during February 8-9-2008. The recommendations and demands of the conference titled. "Mualnuam Declaration on Combating Famine" is enclosed. We the undersigned humbly submit the following demands:
1. There is famine in Churachandpur District. 'We demand that immediate relief in the form of Gratuitous relief. Supplementary nutrition and Agricultural input subsidy should be provided to the affected population.
2. The famine situation in the district is not yet known to the Central Government while Mizoram, which faced similar Mautaam Famine begun receiving famine relief. We demand that the State Government should send detail report about the famine situation in the district to the appropriate authority of the Central Government for systematic redressal.
3. Elected Public Representatives complained that some Underground elements were demanding 30% during lifting of PDS items from the FCS Godown in Sangaiprou, Imphal. We demand that Security should be provided sufficiently at the FCS Godown in Sangaiprou to thwart such attempts.
4. The two Arterial Roads in the district- Tipaimukh road (NH-150) and Guite road (MDR) - are unmotorable in rainy days. Blacktopping of both the Roads would make them motorable year-round. We demand that the black topping of both the roads should be undertaken on top priority by entrusting the works to any reliable Agency.
5. The beneficiaries of PDS supply in Churachandpur district were supplied BPL Rice @ Rs. 10 per kg. in the PDCs/PDSCs against Rs. 6.50 per kg fixed by the Government. Because the transport cost of PDS rice was not paid by the State Government. We demand that the pending transportation bills should be paid by the State Government and also future transportation costs.
6. We demand that all families affected by the Mautaam famine should be placed in the BPL category for purposes of PDS supply till the famine subsides.
7. The people affected by Mautaam famine lack cash and kind to purchase the PDS supply. We demand that all monthly delivery of the PDS items should be allowed credit facility for 6 month each.
8. (a). We demand that the State Govt. should arrange the construction of SOOOMT capacity FCI Godown at Lamka, Churachandpur.
b) The provision of Famine relief through the existing centrally sponsored schemes will be starkly in adequate. It is, therefore demanded that new Project proposals be made through DRDA to effectively counter the famine and its probable recurrence.
Unless immediate remedial measures cited above are taken up by the Government on a war footing, there is the likelihood of large scale public resentment/outrage/ unrest for which the blame may be placed upon the State Government. Hence, this charter of demand.
Yours faithfully
Dated: Lamka
The 12th Feb., 2008
Sd/-
(P. Khupsuanmung)
Working Chairman
ZEPADA
Sd/-
(L. Chinkhanlian) President, MHJU
Copy for information and necessary action to:
1. All Hon'ble Minister/MLAs, Churachandpur District Shri……………….
2. Hon'ble Minister (FCS)
3. Hon'ble Chairman, HAC
4. All MPs from Manipur
5. The Editor, for kind publication.
6. G/File
Sd/-
(K. Vungzamawi) Secretary, ZEPADA
Sd/-
(F. Zohmingliana) Secretary, MHJU
----------------------
Paper presented in the
"LEADERS' CONFERENCE ON COMBATING FAMINE"
At Mualnuam Village, Thanlon Sub-Division, Churachandpur District
By ZEPADA, DELHI WORKING GROUP
on January 28-29, 2008.
PART-I: THE PROBLEM
The dependence of most Villages in the hills of Churachandpur District solely upon jhumming cultivation of rice has been fraught with the risk of food scarcity. The onset of ominous Mautaam since 200 coupled with adverse weather vagaries have caused a very sharp decline in crop production. In 2008 AD, we confront a disastrous famine.
2. The following governmental measures are available to a State reeling under disaster condition:
---
REMEDIAL STEPS
1) State Government (Home Department) to report the problem to the MHA (NDM Division) Govt. of India
2) MHA to send Study Team & receive the report
3) High Level Committee in the MHA to examine and recommend actions.
4) Concern Ministries etc to act/follow up according)
---
ACTION BY MANIPUR GOVT.
1). Not yet reported.
2). Dependent on report by State Government.
3). Not yet applicable.
4). Not yet applicable.
---
Mizoram also face Mautaam famine similar to Churachandpur District. They have anticipated the same 3 - 4 years ago and the State Government formally took ui: the issue with the Central Government. The Centre extends sufficient assistance to meet their basic needs. The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution told the ZEPADA, Delhi Working Group on January 8, 2008 at New Delhi that he is willing to extend similar assistance to Churachandpur District.
3. All of us are aware of the existing Governmental Welfare schemes in the district, such as:
1). PDS supplies of rice etc through FCS Department. However no FCI Godown is expected in Lamka till 2012.
2). Village Grain Banks already opened in 25 villages of 3 Sub-Divisions in Churachandpur District. But no proposal for further addition.
3). Schemes under DRDA with Wage + Food Component.
4. In addition a few individuals and organizations have expressed willingness to contribute to famine relief/aid.
Paper presented by
ZEPADA, DELHI WORKING GROUP
on JANUARY 28-29, 2008.
PART-II: THE SOLUTION
The situation calls for proactive responses to provide the basic human needs. It is therefore imperative to immediately begin the following remedial measures:
i). The State Government should send a report to the Central Government.
ii). Public Distribution System & Village Grain Banks should be made fully functional, their distribution streamlined and monitored properly.
iii). The schemes under District Rural Development Agency should be implemented in letter and spirit and customized to meet the famine condition.
iv). New project proposals should be prepared in the DRDA to directly tackle the famine situation.
v). The distribution of NGO relief fund/materials should be centralized to ensure equitable distribution.
2. The evolvement and improvement of agrarian reform initiatives among the village farmers in Churachandpur District is the need of the day. The conventional assistance enjoyed by our people from Government/Financial Institutions/Sponsors for economic activities should concurrently be utilized to promote "indigenous popular initiatives" towards self-sufficiency. The continued existence of our villages as viable social units will depend on our ability to evolve land based Agrarian reform initiatives. A comprehensive action plan is needed to suitably reward the sweats of farmers tilling those fertile and productive landscapes of the district to develop a sound economy. It is the challenge to be met, and to succeed against all odds.
================================
ZEPADA DELHI WORKING MEMBERS
BRAVO, BAWL HOIH MAH MAH UCHIA
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