Ration card holders enjoy double benefit
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 02 2012:
As each MLA is being allotted 5000 litres of kerosene every month for distribution to the public, ration card holders have been receiving SK oil twice a month as they are provided the same commodity under the Public Distribution System, that is if the PDS and the MLA deliver.
According to a high-ranking official of CAF&PD Department, BPL and APL card holders are being provided SK oil at subsidised rate through sub-dealers and agents every month.
In addition, MLAs are distributing SK oil to people of their respective constituencies from their monthly quota.
In line with the Government's regulation to provide at least 5 litres of SK oil to each ration card holder every month, nominees/agents of MLAs have been distributing SK oil from time to time.
This is what the official records say but there are numerous complaints about non-distribution/unavailability of SK oil.
As the 5000 litres of SK oil allotted to each MLA every month are meant for distribution to public, ration card holders should get kerosene twice a month.
Though the CAF&PD Department has been providing SK oil to sub-dealers and MLAs through two different channels, there are many people who get SK oil only once a month or not at all.
There are also other people who get kerosene only for a few months in a year.
The monthly allocation of SK oil for the State of Manipur is 2112 Kls whereas the numbers of BPL, APL and AAY card holders are 102400, 240593 and 63600 respectively.
There are 2853 SK oil sub-dealers in the State including 451 in Imphal West, 456 in Imphal East, 96 in Tamenglong, 144 in Senapati, 232 in Bishnupur, 297 in Churachandpur, 195 in Chandel, 171 in Ukhrul, 583 in Thoubal, 42 in Jiribam and 204 in Kangpokpi.