Release NFSA rice for Sept and Oct 2023: Kshetrigao AC beneficiaries
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 02 2024: Leaders of women's groups and NFSA beneficiaries under Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency have demanded release of PDS rice under National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA) for the months of September and October 2023 for the AC.

The demand was voiced during a public meeting organised at Pangong Youth Development Association ground today with the participation of NFSA beneficiaries and representatives of women's groups from Kshetrigao AC to discuss the pending release of PDS rice for the two months.

After the conclusion of the public meeting, Thiyam Ongbi Sarjubala, secretary, Kongba Nongthombam Leikai Women Association, stated that people of the AC have not received their entitled quota of rice from September of 2023 till February 2024, a total of six months.

On November 20.2023, womenfolk of the AC met Chief Minister N Biren Singh to question why the people had not yet received their NFSA rice quota for September and October of 2023.The Chief Minister immediately communicated with CAF&PD Minister L Susindro and other department heads and reportedly learned that the rice quota for the two months had been lifted from FCI godown by Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan's "nominee".

Despite this, the PDS rice for the two months have not been distributed to the public of Kshetrigao AC, she added, and appealed to the concerned MLA to release the PDS rice.

She further cautioned that women's groups and NFSA beneficiaries will unite to launch an intense agitation otherwise.

Stating that NFSA rice for March 2024 was distributed recently while skipping the last six months, she rued over the unreleased quota of rice.

On another note, she alleged that MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan's agents had collected the cards of NFSA beneficiaries about a year ago and as a result people are unable to apply for Ujjala scheme or register for labour cards as NFSA cards are a requirement in the application process.

Thus, she urged the MLA to return the collected NFSA cards.

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