Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 04 2009:
The Joint Director of the FCS Department would conduct an inquiry into the recent incident of confiscating a large quantity off rice from a godown belonging to one N Rajen at Tera Lukram Leirak.
Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, FCS Minister Y Erabot expressed hope that the inquiry would be able to find how such a large quantity of rice lifted from FCI godown landed at the private godown owned by N Rajen and to whom the rice actually belongs.
It may be recalled here that around 4000 bags of rice each containing 50 kgs were seized from the private godown at Tera Lukram Leirak during raids conducted on private godowns by FCS Minister Erabot and other officials of the Department recently.
The Minister informed that among the 4000 rice bags seized, there are rice quotas allotted under AAY, BPL, APL as well as the quota under the Annapurna Scheme of the Social Welfare Department.
These rice quotas are meant for Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Chandel districts, he added.
While conveying that the confiscated rice quantity has been kept locked at FCS Godown, Sangaiprou, the Minister said that from the pressures being received for releasing the seized food item, it could be sensed there is a large ring of siphoning off the rice meant for public distribution in the State.
There is suspicion of possible involvement of wealthy businessmen in siphoning off the rice meant for distribution among the poor people and all these would be settled soon along with the submission of the inquiry report, the Minister hoped.
Based on the report, appropriate action would be taken up against any persons found involved in the case, the Minister further assured.