Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 14:
Unhappy at denial of their due share of rice under Annapurna Antodaya Yojana (AAY), the beneficiaries of the scheme in the State have decided to approach Manipur Human Rights Commission for justice.
Though the scheme was launched nationwide in 2000, in Manipur the selected beneficiaries were provided the rice for the year 2001 sometime in January 2002 and no more after that, Annapurna Scheme Beneficiaries Committee convenor Yumlembam Anando told a press conference at State Guest House here this afternoon.
Annapurna Antodaya Yojana Scheme envisaged provision of 10 kgs of rice monthly to old-aged people who have no one to look after them.
Charging the Government of Manipur- with trying to derail smooth implementation of the scheme in the State deliberately, Anando recalled that Ph Parijat, when he was the FCS Minister had announced during the last winter session of the Assembly that an amount of Rs 75 would be released for providing rice to the beneficiaries.
Besides the announcement made on the floor of the House, Parijat had also given numerous assurances through newspapers that the rice would be distributed to the beneficiaries, but till date none of the beneficiaries have got any, he lamented and questioned to whom does the State Government has given the entire rice quantity for the last four years.
He expressed apprehension whether false report of rice being distributed to the beneficeries had been made or the concerned officials/agencies have siphoned off the entire rice quantity.
Accusing Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh of not being able to look into the activities of his MLAs and Ministers white holding close to his post, Anando demanded that the matter should be put up for discussion during the winter session of the Assembly beginning from December 17.