Locals of Samurou complain about irregular distribution of PDS rice
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08 2025: National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries in Wangoi AC have received PDS rice for only 4 months out of the total 8 months in 2025, meira paibis of Shamurou Naorem have complained.

Speaking on behalf of Shamurou Naorem meira paibis, Th Roma, secretary, Ema Panthoibi Meira Lup, Shamurou Awang Leikai refuted the clarification offered by one agent Wangkheimayum Sanayaima regarding the deduction of 1 kg rice for every individual beneficiary of Shamurou Awang Leikai polling station 22/4 and 22/5 and termed them as false and unsubstantiated.

When Khuraijam Loken first became the MLA of Wangoi AC after winning the 12th Legislative Assembly election in 2022, agents under Kh Loken and former Minister Oinam Lukhoi worked together and each beneficiary received 5 kg of rice.

However, after the task of distributing PDS rice was undertaken solely by agents under Kh Loken, the 5 kg quota of rice was never fulfilled again, alleged Th Roma.

Denying the claim that PDS rice has been distributed to beneficiaries without fail every month under MLA Kh Loken, she said that they have received rice for only 4 months this year and questioned where the rest have gone.

NFSA beneficiaries will never accept the clarification that the rice deductions were made to be given to new card holders whose quota of rice have not been allocated, she maintained.

On another note, she accepted Wangkheimayum Sanayaima's statement that during the term of previous MLAs, the beneficiaries did not receive the full mandated quota of 5 kg rice.

However, Th Roma clarified that during the time of former MLA Oinam Lukhoi, 1 kg of rice was deducted from every household, not every beneficiary.

Additionally, the former MLA purchased Government rice with his own money and with the deducted rice, he distributed 4 kg of rice each to households who were not covered under NFSA.

Th Roma also denied any political motivation behind the protest wherein NFSA beneficiaries of Shamurou Awang Leikai polling station 22/4 and 22/5 refused to receive rice.

Urging relevant authorities to address the unfair deduction of rice from each beneficiary allegedly carried out by some agents under MLA Kh Loken, she appealed for the matter to be resolved through proper office channels and not continued back-and-forth via the media.

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