HRA hails activation of SFC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 17 2020:
The Human Rights Alert (HRA) has welcomed the activation of State Food Commission, which had been remaining dormant since its inception in 2015.Briefly recalling how the Food Commission has been activated, HRA in a statement that the State Food Commission of Manipur passed two orders on June 10 this year.
The first order pertained to the non-issuance of relief materials to the Mangal Female Integrated Rehab Centre for Addicts at Torbung in Churachandpur district and the second to the non-availability of rice under COVID-19 relief for 73 tenants of Sagolband.
The two complaints also pointed out that the web site www.pdsmanipur.nic.in meant for submitting complaints and other grievances for redressal were not functioning.
The complaints were duly taken note of and notices were issued to the DCs and nodal officers returnable by June 22, added the HRA in the statement.
Under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), every State should constitute a State Food Commission to monitor and evaluate its proper implementation, to receive complaints and to inquire into violation of entitlements, to give advice for effective implementation to the State Government as well as to NGOs etc, said HRA and added that even though the Government of Manipur designated and empowered the Manipur State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission to exercise the power and perform the function of State Food Commission on October 3, 2015, the Commission has not been performing a single act in exercise of this power until June 10 this year.
HRA said that the activation of the Food Commission is one of the spin offs of the May 13, 2020 judgment of the High Court of Manipur, acting on a PIL.