Opposition stages walk out over government's reply

Ranchi, Dec 20 (UNI) Dissatisfied with the Jharkhand government's reply over condition of agriculture sector and irrigation system throughout the state, Opposition NDA today staged a walk out during the special debate called to discuss the subject.

Initiating the debate JD(U) Radhakrishna Kishore said the state had 38 lakh hectare agicultural land but only 38 per cent of it was used for farming. Expressing concern over low produtivity, Mr Kishore said the need of foodgrains would be about 45 lakh metric tonne but total yeild was less than 40 lakh metric tonnes. He said irrigation facility to the fields was meagre adding only 2 lakh hectare land had the irigation system and about 36 lakh hectare had not such facility.

Stressing the need to improve the status of farmers, Mr Kishore said small and marginal farmers failed to adopt new technology because of their poor condition. He said emphasis should be given in the budgetary provisions to improve the sector.

Participating in the debate Ramchandra Chandravanshi suggested to improve the infrastructure providing irrigation and train farmers about the latest agricultural technology.

Chitranjan Yadav (BJP) alleged that irrigation projects were being ignored by the UPA-led Madhu Koda government which was the main reason of backwardness of agriculture.

Referring to Ajoy Baraj project Ravindra Nath Mahto (JMM) said the scheme formed to provide water to the fields failed to materialise.

Yogeshwar Mahto (BJP) said the sector suffered due to rampant corruption in the department.

Neal Tirkey (Congress) said the farmers had adopted single crop pattern in absence of proper knowledge and training.

Mr Tirkey said trainig should be given to the farmers by skilled persons.

Vinod Kumar Singh(CPI-ML) said the state was lacking proper irrigation system and demanded a special package for Palamu.

Meanwhile, water resoruces minister Kamlesh Kumar Singh said the government was reviewing earlier schemes and would be inplemented soon.

Mr Singh said government would soon began 'Punasi Jalashaya Yojna' adding government has targeted to irrigate 10,000 hectare by 2007 through 'Swarnaekha Project'.

He said government would built wells in every block of 20 feet diameter.

Agriculture minister Nalin Soren said no fund was spent by the erstwhile NDA government whereas Madhu Koda government had spent Rs.

5 crore for development of the sector and rest amount would be spent in next few months.

UNI AM PC/SRC MSJ BD1727