Go to the fields, help out farmers: Atul Bora to Agri officials

Agriculture minister asks for

100-day action plan, warns against illegal collections in check gates

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, May 30: Taking note of complaints that existence of the Agriculture department is not being felt on the ground, particularly in the croplands, new Agriculture minister Atul Bora has directed officials to go to the fields and assist farmers.

"Schemes of the department are not reaching the farmers. Officers will no longer function from their offices. They will have to go to the fields, interact with farmers and address their problems," Bora said.

Admitting that there have been allegations of discrepancies in selection of beneficiaries for various schemes, Bora said from now on officials of the department should go the villages and prepare the beneficiary lists.

Meanwhile, Bora today chaired the governing body meeting of the Assam Agriculture Marketing Board.

He asked the board's CEO to ensure that there is no illegal collections in check-gates operated by the board in the State.

"There are 26 check-gates operated by the board. All are legal check-gates. But I have asked the CEO to ensure that there is no illegal collection in these gates," Bora said.

Bora also visited the office of the Assam Livestock Development Corporation and asked the officers there to prepare a 100-day action plan. The minister also visited the office of Assam Seeds Corporation.

Without ming anyone, Bora said that the chairmen of the Assam Agriculture Marketing Board and Assam State Housing Board should resign from their posts as they are "political appointees."

"There is a new government now. The chairmen of these boards should resign on their own before the government takes steps," the minister said.