Ex-Minister Henry slammed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 02 2021: Claiming that ex-Minister Okram Henry had embezzled public rice for Wangkhei during his tenure as a representative of the Assembly Constituency, the BJP Wangkhei Mandal has stated that a fact-finding committee will be floated to probe the matter.

The Mandal further claimed, "apart from withholding NFSA cards for many of the beneficiaries, the ex-Minister had also collected money from the NFSA beneficiaries for updating their cards and to link it with their Aadhaar Cards, however, many of the cards were found neither updated nor linked with the Aadhaar Cards".

In a virtual press briefing held at the residence of Wangkhei AC MLA, Yumkham Erabot Singh, president of BJP Wangkhei Mandal, Md Firoz stated that O Henry, since he got elected, never distributed rice to the beneficiaries punctually and 'looted' public rice for several months.

He alleged that the ex-Minister also embezzled 4 months worth of PMGKAY rice meant for the people of Wangkhei, which was distributed by the Centre in view of the Covid situation last year.

According to Firoz, the Centre had allotted 5 kilograms of rice each for people for 8 months (April to November 2021), however, Henry distributed the rice for only 3-4 months.

He further claimed that Okram Henry, though lifted NFSA rice for January to March 2021 when he was a Minister from FCS Godown distributed only one month worth of rice to the people.

Once the vacant post of BJP Manipur Pradesh president is filled, the BJP Wangkhei Mandal will take up the matter for investigation in the interest of the people, he added.

It is also learnt that many of the NFSA cards which were collected by the agents for renewal were neither withheld by the DC, DSO and FCS Inspector as claimed nor renewed and linked to Aadhaar Cards as promised.

One of the active members of BJP, further charged that stoppage of kerosene distribution through a Government programme at Wangkhei AC from April 2017 onwards is another matter that is irking many households in the AC.

Continuing that NFSA rice for months starting April 2021 has not been allocated yet, but PMGKAY rice for May 2021 has been distributed to the people, he added that PMGKAY rice for June will also be distributed soon.

Priority of PMGKAY rice for this month (June) will be given to NFSA beneficiaries, he added.

He also said that efforts will be put in to renew the NFSA cards of those who were left out with the help of FCS staff.

The programme was held conforming to SOPs for COVID-19 .

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