Displaced families 'deprived' of aid
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 18 2026:
Since the introduction of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system from November 1, 2025 for providing financial assistance to IDPs, five displaced families presently taking refuge at Khominthang, New Lamka relief centre (Sadbhavna Mandap) in Churachandpur have not been getting any financial assistance or any kind of support for the past five months.
From November 2025, the Government has been providing financial assistance at the rate of Rs 84 per person per day to IDPs through DBT, while discontinuing all previous in-kind support such as rice, dal and other essential food items that were earlier supplied free of cost.
The five displaced families, through a press note, said that they have been completely excluded from the DBT assistance for the past five months.
Moreover, due to their non-inclusion in the beneficiary list, they have not received any financial assistance or additional support such as rice, pulses, vegetables or other basic necessities.
The displaced families said that they have not received any rice under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) which is specifically allocated for IDPs (whether in relief camps or outside) and also the rice allotted under NFSA to the beneficiaries since many months.
They said that they have repeatedly approached the concerned officials and highlighted their severe hardships but there has been no response or redressal so far.
The displaced families have sought immediate intervention of the Chief Minister to resolve the matter and address their hardships at the earliest.
The displaced families said that they will soon submit a formal representation to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) requesting immediate inclusion of the five families in the DBT system and enhancement of the daily assistance from Rs 84 to Rs 100 per person per day.
The representation will also request for an immediate inquiry into the allocation and non-distribution of OMSS(D) rice meant for IDPs as well as the non-distribution of rice allocated under NFSA, with directions for its regular, transparent and equitable distribution to all eligible beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the People's Empowerment Network (PEN), based at Churachandpur has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking immediate intervention in the alleged large-scale diversion, misappropriation and non-delivery of essential food grains under NFSA and OMSS(D) meant for IDPs in Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts.
PEN also highlighted a letter written by 130 IDPs taking refuge in six relief camps in Churachandpur to the Deputy Commissioner concerned on March 23, 2026 which categorically stated that not a single grain of OMSS(D) rice reached these camps since November 2025 .
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