MARGAO, JAN 21
Director of Agriculture, S S Tendulkar has said that he has sought a report from his subordinates over allegations that harvesters procured by the department are being used outside the state.
Tendulkar told Herald that he has received a complaint from a farmer from Salcete alleging that harvesters purchased under the Agriculture mechanisation scheme under the State sectors are being used across the borders in Karnataka.
“I have received a complaint from a farmer. And, I have asked one of the officers to look into the complaint”, Tendulkar said, while making it amply clear that the combine harvesters are to be used only within the state of Goa.
In his complaint, the farmer pointed out that the harvester procured under the scheme is mostly used outside Goa and the same is not utilised in Goa. He demanded to know what purpose the harvester would serve if local farmers cannot use the machine in the state.
Saying that the words “assisted under state sector scheme Agriculture mechanisation 2010-11, Directorate of Agriculture” is not mentioned on the harvester, the farmer wondered whether the authorities have permitted the use of harvester out of Goa.
The farmer has demanded a thorough inquiry into the episode and initiate prompt and strict action against the guilty.
