Discrepancies alleged in NFSA implementation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 16 2016:
Voices of dissent over the implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the State continued to echo.
Although a beneficiary is entitled to get 5 kg of rice at subsidised rate per month under the Act, beneficiaries of Kongba Nongthombam Leikai under Kshetrigao AC complained of receiving just 3 kg of subsidised rice per beneficiary.
Addressing a joint press meet organised by Kongba Youth Organisation, Kongba Nongthombam Leikai Development Committee and Kongba Nongthombam Leikai Women Welfare Association at the office of KYO today, KYO vice-president Nongthombam Ojit said beneficiaries of the locality received just 3 kg of subsidised rice even though they were entitled to receive 5 kg of rice per month.
He demanded prompt clarification from the authority concerned in this regard.
Ojit said when the authorities concerned were approached to seek clarification for the shortfall, they blamed UG groups for the same.
They however failed to name the particular UG group responsible.
As such, he urged the authority concerned to clarify the matter at the earliest.
Meanwhile, decrying alleged flouting of norms in distribution of rice under the National Food Security Act (NFSA)-2013 by agents and distributors, Youth Forum, Heirok has urged all concerned to look into the matter and take prompt remedial steps at the earliest.
In an interaction with media persons yesterday at Heirok bazar, the forum informed that the subsidized rice distributed under the NFSA-2013 after it was launched in April by the Chief Minister reached Heirok AC and residents had high hopes to receive the benefits.
But distributors have defied all norms under the NFSA in distribution of subsidized rice.
Chairman of the forum, Thokchom Manaobi told that under the Nagar Panchayat and Panchayat of the AC, subsidized rice is distributed on the basis of number of voters a household have.
Such practices have created uneven distribution in different areas in the AC.
For Nagar Panchayat, ration cards for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority family were distributed but it has been rendered useless with such practices by agents and distributors, he added.
Moreover, the agents who are currently distributing rice to locals are not recognized agents deputed by the District Supply Officer (DSO).
Any household without having AAY or priority ration card can avail the distribution if they have voter ID card.
A voter is given subsidized rice of 5 kg per month, he added.
All rules and regulation under the NFSA-2013 are disregarded by agents and distributors, he alleged.
Further he stated that all elected local leaders are misusing the power entrusted to them.
Manaobi maintained that distribution practices based on voter list is not acceptable at any cost.
Such practices have created a huge disappointment with local as beneficiaries are denied of their benefits under NFSA, he added.
Convener of Youth Forum Thokchom Okenjit alleged that unauthorized distributors or agents are flouting all norms under the NFSA and list of beneficiaries are not well informed of fair price shop established in the area.
He also challenged the gram panchayat of Heirok part-I for listing his relatives and family members as beneficiaries of AAY leaving the needy families of the area.
Such acts have raised serious question as to how a family is grouped or entitled to have AAY ration cards.
He urged the concerned authorities including the DSO to look into the matter and do the needful at the earliest to remove all discrepancies in distribution.
On the other hand, an agent when enquired informed that the distribution system per voter list of a family was carried out under the instruction of the local MLA Moirangthe Okendro.
The agent told that every voter of a household is entitled to receive 5 kg of rice per moth at the rate of Rs 3 per Kg.
It may be mentioned that the agent was not an authorized agent listed by the DSO.
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