Undeserving PDS rice beneficiaries
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: November 15, 2022 -

WHILE relocation of administrative offices of Sub-divisional Officer/Sub-deputy Collector, Sawombung, Sub-Registrar, Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Society (ARCS), etc., to their original office premises at Sawombung from the DC, Porompat complex underscores the present government's prime focus towards ensuring smooth administration and facilitating the public to have convenient access to mandated services.

Minister L Susindro's assertion during the office resumption function on Sunday that punitive action would be initiated against government employees found availing the highly subsidised PDS rice meant for the economically underprivileged section of the society testifies that establishment or existence of government offices wouldn't serve the intended purpose in case the office authorities lack commitment to diligently discharge their duties.

Over a decade back the said offices had to cease functioning at Sawombung owing to persistent threats from unlawful elements with the then government believing that the Porompat complex would be safer for the employees and help in enuring disturbance-free administration.

However, shifting of the offices caused immense hardships to the general population, including students from distant locations of Imphal East district as registration of deaths and births, possession of documents for educational purposes, land acquisition/demarcation, etc., all entailed physical presence at the Porompat office.

In acknowledgement of the inconveniences endured by the district's denizens, more importantly improvement in the law and order situation, the incumbent government expedited relevant process for bringing back the said offices to their original locations.

By reinstating the offices, the government is also driving home the message that it wouldn't relent from showcasing that the air of hostility is gradually dissipating.

Relocation of the offices will also enliven the public's expectation that official file process for sub-divisional-specific matters would be accelerated and the officials would work with renewed vigour.

It also seems that the tasks for employees and officials of the Sawombung offices as well as all others functioning across the state have already been laid out in clear terms when CAF&PD minister Susindro asked government employees to either surrender in case he/she is still receiving PDS rice or resign from their respective posts if they want to continue enjoying the benefits.

As the latter proposition is unlikely to amuse the salaried class, they are left with no option but to abandon the concept of enjoying patronage of some corrupt elements within the administration.

As distribution of PDS rice under NFSA is essentially for the economically unsound families, it is imperative that minister Susindro not only issues firm directive to the department officials but also keep a close tab on the administrative personnel as there is no guarantee that mere announcement of punitive action would deter inherently insincere staffers from voluntary reformation.

Having conceded that several government employees continue to receive the benefits of schemes specifically launched for the economically weaker section of the society, it is desired that the minister himself take the lead to dissuade the department's employees from perceiving that as corruption has been the hallmark of governance in Manipur for the past many decades, they too could manage to evade punishment with the patronage of higher ups or anyone that matters.