HC cracks whip on NFSA/PMGKAY lists
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 13 2020: The High Court of Manipur has directed the Department of CAF&PD (Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution), Government of Manipur to upload the district-wise list of identified eligible households of various schemes including NFSA (National Food Security Act), PMGKAY (Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Awas Yojana) and others on its official wesbite within a week's time.

All non-card holders should be given rice free of cost as announced by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, said the Court.

The High Court was hearing a PIL filed by the Human Rights Alert regarding the public distribution system (PDS) seeking directives for ensuring transparent and proper distribution of the essential commodities at the price fixed by the Government to public including students, children homes, non-card holders of NFSA, migrant labourers and other economically weaker section of the society.

HC cracks whip on NFSA/PMGKAY lists

The PIL was filed against the State represented by Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary/Commissioner/Director CAF&PD, Principal Secretary/Commissioner, Social Welfare Department, Director, Department of Education (S) as respondents.

Justice Lanusungkum Jamir and Justice Kh Nobin Singh heard the PIL.

On complaints of many not getting their share of rice, in addition to the directive to upload the list of beneficiaries, the High Court directed its Registrar General to furnish the list of complainants and complaints to the Secretary/Commissioner/Principal Secretary, Department of CAF&PD to be verified within two days for distribution of the allocated rice if found correct.

Only authorised persons, agencies and contractors should lift the PDS rice from the FCI depots or from depots of the Food and Civil Supplies Department.

If any unauthorised person is noticed lifting the rice by public, civil society organisations, Meira Paibis, students organisations, Secretary/Commissioner/Principal Secretary (CAF&PD) shall be responsible, said the High Court directing General Manager, FCI Manipur Branch not to allow lifting of foodgrain by any unauthorised person.

Fair price shop (FPS) owners should maintain records in the form of receipts or entities made in the ration cards as proof of distribution.

If records are found not maintained, authorities concerned should enquire the matter within a week and take immediate actions against the fair shop owner concerned including cancellation of license.

Such enquiry should be made known to public through print and electronic media, said the High Court.

Any entitled person/card holder who is aggrieved due to non supply or supply of less quantity of PDS items including rice by the fair price shop owner may approach any Legal Aid Clinic or front office/the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority of the Member Secretary, Manipur State Legal Services Authority, for assistance towards lodging a complaint.

Such person may also approach CSOs, local clubs or student bodies or Meira Paibis for assistance.

The Court also asked local clubs, CSOs, student bodies and Meira Paibis to inspect the records relating to targeted Public Distribution System for any irregularity/illegality and inform the vigilance committee concerned or the District Grievance Redressal Officer or the State Food Commission for appropriate action.

Authorities concerned should inform the public in advance about the date and time when the foodgrain will be lifted either from the FCI depots or from the State Civil Supplies godown and delivered to the fair price shops (FPSs) so that public will have the opportunity to inspect the FPSs.

Foodgrain lifted should be delivered to the FPSs on the same day in respect of the valley and latest by the next day in respect of hill areas.

No foodgrain should be lifted without informing the public, said the Court.

The Court also directed the CAF&PD Department to look into the allegations that "MLAs are involved, in some manner, in the lifting, delivery and distribution of PDS items including rice".

If found true, immediate action should be taken "to ensure that they are not involved at all." An affidavit of compliance thereof should be filed within two weeks from the receipt of a copy of this judgment and order" .

It also directed authorised officers and all fair shop owners to hand over ration cards, if not already done, to identified and eligible households within a week.