Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 10:
Strongly reacting to the statement of FCS Minister Y Erabot that some UG groups have decided not to deduct any percentage from the people's PDS quota of rice and kerosene as they reportedly think they cannot continue with their earlier practice following certain changes in the Public Distribution System, the proscribed UNLF has accused the FCS Ministers of forfeiting PDS items since a long time back.
A statement issued by the UNLF's senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba also cited that many officials and Ministers involved in forfeiting PDS items like rice, kerosene, sugar etc were pulled up by different insurgent groups and exposed to the public.
Since then, many insurgent groups started involving themselves in distribution of PDS items to ensure that all PDS items reach the deserving beneficiaries which were earlier swindled by MLAs, Ministers and their cohorts, claimed Yoiheiba.
The UNLF too has been distributing rice and other items to the interior and marginalised villages of Chandel, Tamenglong and Churachandpur since some years back.
However, after many other organisations started interfering in the development programmes and welfare schemes of the people in the guise of insurgent groups, the UNLF and the KYKL resolved to stop deducting any percentage from kerosene quota allotted to people under PDS.
Subsequently, the two outfits also declared a specific price at which kerosene should be made available to the public, Yoiheiba reminded.
It would be a silly mistake if FCS Minister Y Erabot thinks that the insurgent outfits' resolution to stop deducting any percentage of kerosene oil was compelled by the changes he made in the Public Distribution System.
If the insurgent groups wish to, they can deduct any percentage of fund/commodity not only from Food Civil Supplies Department but also from all the Departments.
Yet, UNLF would refrain from such activity for the sake of people's welfare, Yoiheiba declared.
As such, instead of trying to belittle UNLF and other insurgent groups, it would be in the best interest of all including the FCS Minister himself to take up some initiatives for the welfare of the people at his own level, the outfit observed.
It would not only prove futile but bring nothing positive for the FCS Minister to make false allegations against insurgent groups.
The outfit further called upon the Minister to work sincerely for the welfare of people and not to go after rewards and credits.