Bodies decry discrepancy in distribution of scheme rice
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 30 2021: Amid viral videos on the social media showing exchange of heated words and violent confrontation between distraught beneficiaries of centrally-sponsored welfare schemes and rationing agents in some assembly constituencies, civil societies and local organisations have urged the authorities concerned to resolve the issue before the disputes turn into a law and order problem for the government.

Among others, Northern United Clubs' Organisation (NUCO) general secretary Th Johnson Mangang has contended that PMGKY beneficiaries and NFSA card holders in some parts of Lamsang AC are being provided with only 3kg of rice per head instead of their entitled 5kg per head.

Issuing a release in this regard, Johnson said that the MLA of Lamsang AC, who is also a minister in the incumbent government, had announced distribution of 5kg of rice per head.

However, this is clearly not being implemented in the constituency.

He then demanded the agent, super-agent, nominee and the authority concerned to clarify on the matter, while further demanding the local MLA and the minister concerned to take strict action against the erring agent, super-agent and the nominee, in addition to distributing the remaining rice within 48 hours.

Stating that NUCO will not accept any compromise on the matter, Johnson said that it will work together with AMUCO and ensure the guilty persons(s) are punished according to the law of the land.

With regard to the removal of NFSA card holders due to non-linkage with their Aadhaar, the secretary questioned who is responsible for the removal when the agents and the authorities concerned had already collected photocopies of Aadhaar and other important documents from the beneficiaries beforehand.

Thus, the agent, retailers and the nominees responsible should clarify on why the accounts were not updated including the date on which the Aadhaars were linked along with the other documents.

Similarly, Youth for Change, Kshetrigao said that NFSA beneficiaries in Kshetrigao AC are on the verge of losing their rightful share of PDS item as FPS agents did not submit the required documents for linking Aadhaar with ration card even after collecting the same from the beneficiaries.

In a statement, Youth for Change convener Md Muzibur Rahaman said that NFSA beneficiaries in the constituency are getting share for only one person per family on whose name the card was registered while other family members are not getting any benefits.

Upon enquiry, the organisation came to know from CAF&PD officials that rice quota was reduced due to failure of linking Aadhaar with the ration card.

Further enquiry revealed that FPS agents had collected Aadhaar photo copies and Rs 50 to Rs 100 from each beneficiary for aadhaar linking several months back.

On May 22, CAF&PD's deputy secretary issued an order stating that Aadhaar link can be generated online but the FPS agents did nothing in this regard.

The local MLA was approached but the organisation did not get any positive response from the MLA, lamented Md Muzibur.

In the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic also, FPS agents flouted guidelines in distributing free food grains for eight months.

They either misappropriated the PMGKAY share or the NFSA quota every month and only three kg of rice per head were provided to the beneficiaries, the statement said.

It then demanded the FPS agents to submit the required documents and update the same at the earliest.

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