NCP flays Agriculture Minister

Itanagar, May 19 : The Arunachal Pradesh unit of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has flayed Agriculture Minister Tsering Gyurme for accusing union agriculture ministry of failing to provide special care to the state.

''Contrary to his statement, the agri-horti sector, under the leadership of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, has been getting priority treatment throughout the country as well as Arunachal, where commercial cultivation of orange, pineapple and apple has been emphasised through bank finance,'' the party pointed out.

The Minister had also signed an MoU with NEDFi and other financial institutions to promote cultivation of Jatropha, abundantly available in the state, involving the panchayat leaders, the party added.

The party during its last executive meeting here, held under the leadership of MP Purno A Sangma, had appealed to the Centre for a 'special financial package' for development of agri-horti, animal husbandry and veterinary sectors in the state.

Advocating that the minister should refrain from issuing such statements, the NCP alleged that Mr Gyurme should ensure proper implementation of schemes in his department and take steps to prevent misuse of central funds.

UNI