AMTU alleges
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, June 03 2018: The All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) has alleged that there have been cases of "irregular rice transportation and siphoning of BPL rice to some traders".

In this regard, the AMTU has submitted a memorandum to the Minister of Consumer Affairs and Pubic Distribution.

The AMTU said that it had submitted the memorandum to the Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, "on behalf of the poor and far flung tribal people of Manipur".

The tribal body alleged that the monthly rice transportation to the hill districts is always below quantity as some transporter/agents in collusion with some traders often siphon off the same for their profit at the cost of the poor people.

According to the AMTU memorandum, rice being the staple food of the people and due to decrease in rice cultivation, the situation has become somewhat like a semi-famine in the region.

"As a matter of fact, the tribal people have been largely dependent on BPL rice and it was a relief for them when Food Security Act came into being," said the memorandum.

AMTU said that the market price of such BPL rice has skyrocketed to Rs 1400 per 50 Kg bag and "it is impossible for for such poverty stricken people who have no socioeconomic resource to sustain and survive".

According to the AMTU memorandum, Food Security Act in providing BPL rice to the poor people is to help get them an easy square meal.

However, it is not so in all the hill districts due to insincerity of transporters/agents.

"Therefore, for remedial measures, let local tribal agencies be given priority as transportation agents of BPL rice who may prove efficient1 and provide sincere service to the poor needy tribal people failing which the tribal organizations of the hill areas shall be compelled to resort to any kind of movement to get the tribal quotas as entitled under Food Security Act," the AMTU memorandum said.

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