Misappropriation slur raised
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 21 2015:
Rice and SK Oil which are listed under PDS items meant for people of Wangkhei A/C have been misappropriated even as people of the Assembly segment have been denied PDS sugar since 2012, alleged 15-Wangkhei Kendra Development Forum.
Speaking to media persons at his Mantripukhri residence today, the forum's advisor Okram Henry said that the local MLA or the State Government should come up with a convincing clarification regarding the matter at the earliest.
Altogether 3537 rice bags of 50 Kg capacity each for the month of August for AAY, BPL, APL and Additional APL were lifted from godown and this was learnt on enquiry at the relevant Government office.
However, no household of Wangkhei A/C got a single grain of PDS rice during the month of August.
It was quite disheartening that some elements were misappropriating PDS items allotted for the month of August when the people were reeling under acute hardship due to floods and the sustained mass movement for enforcement of ILPS or similar mechanism, Henry said.
Another 3537 bags of rice allotted for the current month have also been lifted.
Although rice allotted for the month of September was distributed at the local MLA's residence, people were misinformed that it was for the month of August.
PDS rice is distributed at the MLA's residence since 2012 and at any point of time, PDS rice for Wangkhei A/C was distributed at any other place.
Profit earned from the rice bags misappropriated in the month of August is around Rs 15 lakh.
Moreover, SK Oil quota for the month of August was also lifted from the dealer but it was never distributed to public.
On being enquired with the relevant authority, it was told that SK Oil quotas for Wangkhei A/C were lifted without any interruption.
People of Wangkhei A/C have not been getting PDS sugar since 2012.It has been learnt that PDS sugar was lifted using the MLA's DO letter, Henry alleged.
For all these reasons, either the MLA or the Government should give a convincing clarification for disappearance of rice, sugar and SK Oil.
If the people's share of PDS items are forfeited any further, the forum would be constrained to launch all kinds of agitation including surrender of PDS cards before the Chief Minister, he added.