MARGAO: A farmer’s club that represents the areas of Maina, Areal, Curtorim and Raia have hit out at the State Agriculture Department for the long delays in approving their requests for harvesting related equipment. They also criticised the mobile application of the department which they say is not working and causing further hurdles instead of smoothening the application process.
Speaking to media persons on Thursday, former Curtorim Zilla Panchayat (ZP) member and social worker Moreno Rebello and other club members listed out examples of how they have been following up with the Agriculture Department since February this year, be it through letters or personal meetings. They pointed out that they had even taken up the matter with the State agriculture minister and criticised the department for not keeping applicants updated about the status of their requests, especially when the department itself has delayed the same for so long.
Rebello questioned why their requests, which are for the benefit of farmers, are being delayed and if there was anyone behind this. The club members pointed out that the farmers need this equipment on time but the department and the government, which is supposedly promoting agriculture, has done a disservice to the farmers.
