Disenchantment over rice distribution concerns AMUCO
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 01 2021:
Taking serious note of the raging controversies over alleged disparity in the distribution of rice to poor beneficiaries of the state, All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has announced that it will look into the matter and take necessary initiatives for the welfare of the impoverished section of the society.
In a release, AMUCO secretary (organisation i/c) Koijam Santosh Meitei stated that the people of the state are facing severe impact of Covid-19 pandemic for more than a year now.
Amidst these troubling times, some selfish people are disregarding the sufferings of the people and taking undue advantage of the pandemic.
The notion of making profits from the affected people should be stopped.
Instead, everyone must join hands and help one another so as to save every in dividual from the clutch of the infectious Covid-19 pandemic, he exhorted.
People are well aware how many agents are distributing the rice provided under PMG- KAY and the beneficiaries are being deprived of their rightful shares.
AMUCO feels that saving the people of the state from those who are adding to the burden of the already aggrieved people is the rightful duty of the organisation, he maintained, while continuing that those who are involved in distribution of rice should provide the essential item to the beneficiaries without causing any difficulties.
Santosh further pointed out that as the rationing agents are well known to the local people and are closely related to those who have political power, the chances of taking actions against those agents are very low.
As such, in consideration of the welfare of the poor and affected people of the state, AMUCO will look into rice distribution issue and take up necessary actions.
After thoroughly studying the reasons cited by rice agents that the insufficient distribution is because of distribution of rice irrespective of registered beneficiaries and non-card holders, it is found out that it could not be true, he maintained, while explaining that most of the locals are card holders and the share of rice deducted by the agents is very high.
Moreover, there is stark difference in the quantity of rice distributed to the people in several constituencies.
Some constituencies even distributed only three kg to a beneficiary.
This has caused discontentment among the people, he added.
Santosh noted that the involvement of local clubs in distribution of rice has created displeasure among the people and urged the local clubs to stop indulging in such activities.
Stating that government has created a time consuming process when local clubs and philanthropists tried to help even in the initiatives of the government, he continued that such lengthy process discouraged the local clubs which came out to help the needy people selflessly.
He urged the government to warmly welcome those who voluntarily coming out to fight against the pandemic and also to shorten the process of aiding the people.
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