MLAs' intervention on PDS items lambasted
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 26 2012: With a new regulation coming into force since 2008 allowing intervention of local MLAs in the distribution of PDS items to the public, the public distribution system has become totally crippled, advocate Rakesh Meihoubam has asserted.

Speaking as a resource person at a day-long training programme for Para-legal volunteers organized by Manipur State Legal Services Authority at the conference hall of Cheirap Court here today, Rakesh observed that the people of the state hardly faced any problems regarding the distribution of PDS item before the implementation of the new regulations in 2008 .

It was only after the intervention of local MLAs that the PDS items Kerosene and rice has not reached the public.

He pointed out that Central government provides 5 litres of kerosene to AAY, BPL and APL card holders of the state.

However, the beneficiaries get only 4 litres on an average.

Interestingly, kerosene has been made available to the people in shops at a much higher rate.

As such, the people are compelled to buy kerosene from the local shops.

Rakesh suggested that fair price shops where the PDS items are made available should be opened throughout the month.

The shop owners should possess license for opening the fair price shop.

The BPL, APL and AAY card holders should be supplied PDS items at the priced fixed by the government.

They should also be given the opportunity to buy the items in small quantities according to their convenience.

The agents cannot fix the time for buying the items by the card holders.

Elaborating on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guaranteed Scheme, he stated that unlike any development programme, the MGNREGS is a scheme to provide 100 days compulsory work to all the people of the rural areas.

Under this programme, job cards should be issued to every individual seeking job.

Job card holders can seek job by writing an application to the concerned authority and a work allotment form is to be released within 15 days.

Even if there is no job, job card holders are entitled to get their pay according to the provisions of the Act.

Th Premila, Reveda and Ch Momon were among other resource persons who were present during the training programme.

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