Manipur’s Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar
Manipur Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar addressing the media in Imphal on January 8, 2018. Photo: Northeast Now

The Manipur Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department has banned procurement of all horticultural produces from outside the State by individuals/firms/agencies/suppliers without possession of proper registration certificate and consignment details slip with the undertaking that ‘the produces are free from health hazard/toxic compound/substances and in good condition for human consumption’.

Manipur’s Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar conveyed this while speaking to media persons at his New Secretariat office in Imphal, sources said on Wednesday.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

The Director K Kipgen of the State Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department has issued a fresh official notification in this regard on January 8, 2019 in continuation of December 10,2018 notification regarding registration of all individuals/firms/agencies/suppliers etc involved in the supply chain of all horticultural produces from outside Manipur through NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam), to register themselves under this Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Manipur.

Minister Shyamkumar further said that as the registration deadline has ended, procurement of all horticultural produces from outside the State through these routes will not be permitted without possession of proper details so as to avoid health hazards and various diseases, caused by harmful chemicals, and to identify the location of the produces as well.

Shyamkumar, who also holds Municipal Administration, Housing & Urban Development portfolio, also admitted that stray animals like cow and horses will be relocated to the nearest hills to prevent any road mishaps.

Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!

Stating that owners of the animals will be given ten days to identify the animal(s), he maintained that the process of relocation for stray animals will begin after the end of the deadline, cautioning that legal action will be taken against male vendors who conduct business at Ima Market, a historic women’s market in the heart of Imphal town which is said to be one of the largest women run market in Asia.

On April 13 last year, Municipal Administration, Housing & Urban Development Minister of the State had announced prohibition on male vendors selling goods in and around the said market.