Mahanta says Assam rice production declines

Former Assam Chief Minister Prafula Kumar Mahanta is unhappy with the state's rice production which he says is taking a downward trend.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, the former Chief Minister said the state government has been failing to properly utilise the fund meant for the agriculture sector which will have an adverse impact on the state's rural economic scenario.

If it so happens, said Mahanta, the state will no longer be able to feed the growing population. He is worried that the state attained self sufficiency in food grain production a few years back but now once again taking a backseat.

He cited the official documents to justify that Assam's rice production figure was 39.98 lakh metric tonne in 2000-2001 while he was in power but the same has fallen to 29.16 lakh metric tonne.