KCP to launch drive against PDS agents
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 01 2011:
Contending that BPL and APL families had been denied rice and sugar provisions by PDS agents for the last many years, the KCP (Marxist, Leninist and Maoist) group has asserted that stringent punitive action would be initiated against those found indulging in such malpractices.
A KCP (Marxist, Leninist & Maoist) statement issued by its Publicity and Propaganda assistant secretary Nonglen Meitei said investigation carried out by the armed group came to light that 21,443,000 tonne of rice and 2,358,000 tonne of sugar meant for the BPL and APL families have been misused by PDS agents with the alleged patronage of the Minister concerned.
As KCP would not tolerate such malpractices of denying the poor families their due share appropriate measures would be initiated against the defaulters from April onward, cautioned the statement while observing that until and unless Manipur's own food crop production is self sufficient dependence on India's provision is inevitable.
Clarifying that KCP's stance on the issue should not be construed as supporting Government of India's food policy or attitude towards the people of Manipur, Nonglen said steps undertaken by the outfit to ensure adequate availability of the food items to the people is a temporary arrangement for poorer section of the society suffers the most while the PDS agents amass wealth by exploiting the situation.
Moreover, claims by the PDS agents that percentage cuts by some armed outfits is a factor for the public not able to get their due share will not be acceptable for atleast 30 kgs out of the monthly allocation of 35 kgs to each card holder/family could be provided, it mooted.
Nonglen also called upon the local youth clubs and women activists to closely monitor activities of the PDS agents in order to ensure that the common public are not deprived of their rights.
stringent action would also be initiated against the agents in case monthly kerosine provision is denied to the deserving families, it warned.