Minister rules out foul play
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 22 2016 : CAF&PD Minister Ksh Biren has categorically stated that there is no question of forfeiture, diversion or siphoning off of rice meant for distribution to beneficiaries of NFSA.

Speaking to media persons at his Old Secretariat office today, Ksh Biren stated that the Government has started dis- tribution of rice at Rs 3 per Kg to beneficiaries under NFSA.

Informing that generation of ration cards is also on the verge of completion, Biren stated rice quotas which could not be lifted earlier are still stocked at the department's Sangaiprou godown and the same can be lifted any time.

If any beneficiary does not get the exact quantity of rice entitled to him/her under NFSA and he/she lodges a complaint under Section 8 of the same Act, there are arrangements for the Government to pay 'food security allowance', Biren in- formed.

Reacting to BJP Manipur Pradesh election campaign committee convenor Th Chaoba's allegation about rice scam in the State, Ksh Biren asserted that there is no question of diversion or siphoning off of rice entitled to NFSA benefici- aries.

A seasoned politician should not make baseless allegations without evidence.

Informing that NFSA rice allocated for Bishnupur district for the month of April has not been lifted nor distributed fully to beneficiaries till date, the CAF&PD Minister appealed to Th Chaoba to assist in distributing rice to all the beneficiaries to the exact quantity entitled to them.

Meanwhile it is reported that an inspection drive has been launched to check how much of NFSA rice have been lifted and how much are yet to be lifted from godowns.

Whereas there are many complaints about non-distribution of NFSA rice or distribution of rice in lesser quantities, there is little space left for storing rice in godowns as they are literally full.

As such, the department has launched an inspec- tion drive to ascertain the quantities of rice lifted from godowns for each Assembly segment and publish a Constitu- ency-wise report on the matter, informed an official source.

Nominees of MLAs should come to godowns together with their agents and lift rice allocated under NFSA for their respective Assembly segments.

For lifting rice from the godowns, transporters have been providing vehicles without charging any money, added the source.

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