Allegations raised over PDS item distributions
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16 2013 :
Three councillors and a ward committee member under Wangkhei Assembly Constituency claiming rampant malpractices in the distribution of PDS items to economically unsound families alleged local MLA-Deputy Commissioner nexus for the deprivation of the essential items to the deserving citizens.
Holding a joint press conference at Manipur press Club today councillors Brijit Loushambam (Ward No.23), Ngaminlun Kipgen (W/N 22) and M Majakhon (W/N 26) along with W/N 21 member RK Dayananda, informed that Wangkhei AC has a total of 38 polling stations.
Disclosing that documents (utilisation certificates) were found to be in the possession of the District Supply Officer (Imphal East) regarding allocation of BPL category rice to 'unauthorised person(s)' for the months of December 2012 and January 2013 during investigation by the quartet, they contended that in the last five months 1,60,750 kgs of BPL rice was also procured for Wangkhei AC with the inclusion of 610 'adhoc BPL' families.
The quantity of rice for the 610 adhoc BPL families in the said period amounted to 21,350 kgs, explained the four with the contention that the additional adhoc BPL families had the approval of the DC concerned.
Pointing out that under normal procedures it is mandatory for the councillors to either enlist new/additional adhoc BPL families which was not complied with in the present case, or the PDS item procuring persons should be nominees of the councillors, the foursome disclosed that Ward members namely N Sanatombi, A Tokendro, N Kumudini and Lashingam Kamson were found as nominees of the local MLA to ship out the rice allocation in the months of May and June.
Along with confiding that the Chief Minister, CAF&PD Minister M Okendro and the DC concerned have been apprised to probe the malpractices for ensuring that the targeted section of the society are not deprived of their shares, the councillors and Ward Committee member also quoted nominated rationing agents as saying that some armed outfits insist on percentage deductions from the public's shares.
Urging the UG groups to desist from percentage cuts from such public-oriented programmes, they suggested that the Minister concerned initiate appropriate measures at the earliest so that the economically deprived section of the society fully receive the benefits rather than implement the noble schemes only in official documents.
Suggesting that the CM and the Minister concerned take suitable action against those involved in the PDS item mal-practice within a fortnight, they also cautioned that failing to evoke positive action will constrain them to take legal recourse.
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