Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 21 2010:
Raising their voice against deprivation of benefits under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) to eligible families in Chandel district, All Tribal Women Organisation, Chandel district has demanded that the benefits should be provided to the eligible families at the earliest possible.
AAY has been launched by the Government of India with the stated objective of providing rice to the poorest of the poor families and the scheme is being implemented through Public Distribution System of the State Governments concerned.
Under this scheme, selected card holders are supposed to be provided 35 kgs of rice at the cost of Rs 3 per kg in a month.
But none of the eligible families in Chandel district have received any rice under this scheme, they claimed.
Talking to mediapersons in this regard at the training hall of REACH at Nungourok in Chandel district today, ATWO general secretary TK Amita asserted that PDS has failed completely in Chandel district and instead of availing benefits like AAY to the poorest of the poor, the benefits are being enjoyed by wealthy families, those who can canvass for election and influential families in the villages.
Amita informed that ATWO, Chandel has conducted a survey in 10 villages of the district and found out that out of 106 young widows only two of them have been issued AAY cards.
But they do not received any PDS items at the rate fixed by the Government nor at the right quantity.
Widows coming from various places like Kangshang, Tuisimi, Teraphai, Aimol, Molnoi, Kotlenphao, Lamkang Centre, Khuringmol, Apungnishu and Kanan villages were also present at the occasion and gave their testimonials.