Imphal, October 11 2010: Clash of interest between Minister of Consumers' Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Y Erabot, who represents Wangkhei Assembly Constituency and social worker O Henary are on a head to head collission derailing or delaying in process of the Government to provide rice among the flood affected people of the constituency.

Talking to mediapersons at his residence today evening, Y Erabot has described the deadlock as 'a deliberate act by a leader who has been protecting the looters behind the mask of politics'.

The Minister asserted that the people of Wangkhei Assembly Constituency have been affected by an artificially created flood after one so called social worker dug up the embankment of Imphal river at Golapati.

He informed that the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East had issued an order on October 10 stating that the distribution of rice provided by the Government to the flood affected people is to be done through the respective local MLAs.

As per the order, each of the flood affected family is entitled to get 10 kg of rice.

Accordingly, 376.80 quintal of rice had been lifted from the FCI godown today for distribution of rice among the flood affected people of Wangkhei Assembly Constituency.

However, the truck was intercepted by ADC Porompat and social worker O Henary at Soibam Leikai Khanglabung.

As a consequent, rice could not be made available to the people in time, Minister Erabot said.

When there is no restriction to other MLAs in lifting the rice from FCI godown, why there should be any problem with regard to Wangkhei ?, he questioned, adding that this is a deliberate act instigated by a leader.

He also demanded to know under which rules and regulations bullet proof vehicle with security escort has been given to a social worker.

The Minister further informed that out of 675.80 quintal of rice lifted from the godown, 150 quintal has been brought to his residence while the remaining 226.80 quintal has been kept in the custody of Imphal East DC.

The rice would be distributed among the people in consultation with the DC very soon.

Around 20 relief camps have been set up for sheltering the flood affected people of the Constituency and 200 bags of rice containing 50 kg each, 12 bags of cereals containing 50 kg each, salt packages and Kerosene have been provided to these relief camps free of cost, the Minister added.

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