THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Agriculture officials see a contradiction in chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan talking about cloud seeding to beat the drought and going ahead with a spending-spree on farming. With just three weeks left for utilising the Plan fund, they say they are groping in the dark as to how to go about this wasteful expenditure. “Neither the government nor the department officials have got any clarity on what should be the priority. It is true that the state did not receive both Northeast and Southwest monsoons. In that case, how is it possible to spend on agriculture schemes before March 31,” said a top agricultural development farmer’s welfare department official.
Another official said farmers would have benefitted from the various projects if the government decides to prolong it for two to three months so as not to waste the funds earmarked in the budget. He alleged that with not a drop of water available in remote parts of the State, how the Government can insist on utilising the plan fund. “Officials have to face the brunt as we will be forced to implement schemes and come up with a report. So technically speaking, the Government can wash off its hands saying that the projects were implemented on time giving scant regard to the welfare of the farmers”, said another official.
There have been discussions going on in the Legislative Assembly about the drought, but not a single MLA has highlighted the issue of how the officials will implement the schemes before this month end when there is adequate water for agricultural purposes. However, a top department official told DC that only after discussions with the ministry officials, a proper conclusive decision could be taken whether the plan funds can be extended for a couple of months.
