Villagers allege insufficient rice given, MLA explains
Source: The Sangai Express
CCpur/Moirang, April 23 2020:
Though Chief Minister N Biren Singh has assured of providing relief rice to all people of Manipur on account of the current lockdown, people in certain hill districts are yet to receive the promised rice, claimed general secretary of Rongmai Naga Students' Organisation (RNSO), Jeanthui Panmei, today Speaking to media persons during a press meet held at Loktak Project Tokpa Kabui playground under Henglep Assembly Constituency of Churachandpur district, Jeanthui Panmei continued that the student organisation has been monitoring the distribution of relief materials at different places for the past few weeks, but the prevailing situation at 16 villages under Tokpa Kabui was found contradicting the assurance given by the Chief Minister.
Apart from this, it has also come to light that children in these 16 villages still haven't got the benefits of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, he claimed, appealing the Chief Minister to look into the matter and address the grievances of people in hill district at the earliest.
In the meantime, chairman of Loktak Project Area Chief Association, PG Kamu Gangmei maintained that the assurance of the State Government to provide at least 5 kgs of rice to each individual during such a trying time has failed as people in certain villages in hill district got only 1 or 2 kilos of rice, while some villages didn't receive any.
As this month's PMGKAY rice also fell short, the chief's association, after a threadbare discussion resolved to return the rice, the chairman said, appealing the Chief Minister to intervene and solve the issue.
When contacted MLA of Henglep Assembly Constituency, TT Haokip said that 1729 quintals of rice were allotted for Henglep.
The MLA said that since the quantity of rice was thought to be less, he had asked that an additional 300 quintals be bought from the local area development fund of the MLA for distribution.
This was however turned down on the ground that the 1729 quintals are enough, said the MLA and added that this line of held on the basis of the 2011 Census headcount.
Rice was given, but some of the villagers refused to take them on the ground that it was too less, added the MLA.