Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, September 11:
The Manipur Human Rights Commission has referred the cases relating to alleged irregularities in issue of kerosene oil quota by the government to the sub-dealers in Imphal East and Imphal West districts to the Central Bureau of investigation (CBI), according to a release of the commission.
The full bench of the MHRC comprising members L Robindra Singh, Yambem Laba and Kh Chonjohn held the view that since the matter involves a Central agency, interstate movement of essential commodities involving crores of rupees and affecting lakhs of people, the matter calls for immediate remedial measures and thorough investigation by an independent investigating agency.
Accordingly, under Section 14(1) of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, the matter was referred to the CBI and concurrence of the Central government has accordingly sought, the commission release said.
To release further said the commission had clubbed together three complaint cases filed on behalf of 190 kerosene sub-dealers stating that they had not been receiving their quota regularly from the state government since January as a result of which much hardship has been caused to the consumers.
The release quoted the state FCS department which is responsible for the distribution, to have informed the commission that altogether 3330 metric tonnes (sic) of kerosene meant for public distribution could not be released to the public during the period of January to May this year.