Much to a major embarrassment for the BJP-led Government in Assam, many army worms hit farmers alleged Government negligence.
Many peasants in the worst-hit Golaghat district have alleged that the agriculture department has yet to send officials to deal with the situation. “We the farmers in 10 villagers have yet to see an officer here. We have repeatedly apprised the authorities of the situation. But of no avail,” said Kushal Saikia from Sarupathar.
Another villager said,” within a few days armyworms have damaged our crops. We are helpless. We don’t have anything that can mitigate our misery.” But agriculture minister Atul Bora who hails from the district denies any negligence. He told reporters in Guwahati that efforts are on to deal with the situation.
According to him, the situation has marginally been brought under the control in 10 districts. “Efforts are on to totally wipe out the menace,” said Bora.
Many farmers in Bokakhat have alleged insufficient materials to deal with the menace. “We do charge the authorities with providing us insufficient and out dated pesticides which would not work,” said a local farmer in Bokakhat.
Stunned by allegations of utter negligence, the Assam Government has suspended a senior officer and asked all field-level officials to work on war footing in controlling the menace.
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