PDS rice plentiful in market
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 25 2013: Irrespective of APL, BPL and AAY rice meant for distribution to beneficiaries through the Public Distribution System (PDS) the said food item is being sold openly in the market with the price fluctuating between Rs 24 per kilogram and Rs 18.60 in the last few days.

According to an informed source, one of the reasons for APL, BPL and AAY rice available in plenty at many shops located in Khwairamband Keithel and nearby shops is due to individuals/agents authorised to transport the PDS item to remote and far flung areas of the State trading off the same to Khwairamband Keithel traders.

Categorically stating that MLAs concerned and agents authorised by them are directly or indirectly involved in the PDS rice finding its way to the market rather than its distribution to beneficiaries of different noble schemes of the Government, the source conceded that inspite of Consumer Affairs, food and Public Distribution Department (CAF&PD) aware of such mal-practice no action could be initiated against those involved in the malpractice.

Apparently citing hoarding of the PDS rice, the source said whenever CAF&PD officials enquire about sale of the PDS rice in the market the price shoots up to Rs 24 a kg compared to the same item sold at Rs 18.60 for the same quantity one days when no inspection is carried out.

The same item reportedly commands Rs 21-22 at localities close to the main commercial centre.

It is said that inspite of segregation into APL, BPL and AAY the rice variety is of the same quality for all three categories with the variation in the price mainly due to specific policy of the Government for particular schemes and targeted beneficiaries.

At the Government rate, APL rice is Rs 8.80, Rs 6.15 for BPL and Rs 3.50 for AAY for a kilogram each.

Another reason cited for the fluctuation in price of the PDS rice variety is irregularity in provision/supply of State's monthly rice quota by the Food Corporation of india.

Under Central Government norms, monthly rice allocation to each States should be lifted from the FCI storage facilities within 20 days of the month but the said rules cannot be complied with by the FCI transporters.

The FCI authorities' formal intimation to the Central Government for extending the rice lifting deadline is yet to evoke positive response till date, conveyed the source.

It is also said that shortage of PDS rice in the State Government's storage facilities is also causing increase in the price of the local variety of rice, currently sold at Rs 25 to Rs 26.50 per kilogram.

The local variety used to be sold at Rs 22 to 24 in the previous years, noted the source opining that abundance of PDS rice in the Government's disposal could eventually bring down the rate.

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