Four complain against violation of paddy land Act

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 20: Four individuals have lodged a complaint to the Imphal West District Level Committee against wanton violation of the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act 2014 and the complete inaction on the matter by the authorities concerned.
Notably, the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act was passed by the State Government with the primary objective of conserving paddylands and wetlands.
Although the Act was passed by the previous Government, the incumbent Government went on record to claim that the Act would be enforced strictly.
Nonetheless, vast tracts of paddy fields are being reclaimed for construction of dwelling houses, fish farms, brick fields, stone crushing centres, schools, oil pumps etc, etc.
Meanwhile, four individuals belonging to Yaiskul Moibung Lokpa Leikai have lodged a complaint to the Imphal West DC who is also the District Level Committee Chairman that a paddy field is being sold in pieces after converting it into a homestead while the authorities concerned have turned a blind eye to it.
In their complaint, the four individuals alleged that one Yumnam Ratan of Heirangoithong Keibung Leikai and one Konsam Rohen of Ningomthong Sairom Leirak have been openly violating the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act.
A paddy field measuring 9.80 acres is being sold in pieces by Ratan and Rohen after alleviating the paddy field’s ground level thereby converting it into a homestead.
The said paddy field is located within Oinam Leikai under SDO Wangoi, according to the complaint.
It mentioned that the Civil Judge Junior Division Imphal West-II passed an order on May 5, 2017 directing all concerned that status quo should be maintained regarding the particular paddy field.
Defying the Court’s order, Ratan and Rohen filled the paddy field with earth, raised its alleviation and converted it into a homestead before selling it in pieces for commercial purposes.
Section 3 of the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act says that no paddy field can be converted into homestead without permission of the authority concerned and if anyone violates the Act, he /she can be fined Rs 50,000 to Rs two lakh and imprisoned for three to five years.
The complaint urged the District Level Committee to take up befitting action as per the Act against the two individuals.
Notably, Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu issued an office memorandum on April 30 whereby all officials concerned were directed to implement the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act in letter and spirit and take up stringent action against all defaulters.
The Chief Secretary further made it clear that necessary action would be initiated against officials if they fail to implement the Act strictly.