Rice case: MLAs hold meeting, DSO clarifies
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte

Churachandpur, March 21 2023: In connection with the seizure of six truckloads of PDS rice, MLAs LM Khaute, Paolienlal Saikot and Letzamang held a meeting with the district administrations on Tuesday at the DC's conference hall.

The meeting was attended by Churachandpur DC, officials of FCS and FCI and others.

After detailed discussion, LM Khaute, while appreciating the district police for timely detection of the six trucks ferrying rice, informed that the meeting decided that DSO, Churachandpur will be the sole releasing and depositing authority of PDS rice in FCS and FCI warehouses and before it (rice) is distributed to the public assembly constituency wise.

He further said that the DSO has been instructed to work out a mechanism with the FCI officials so that there is no loopholes and room for pilferage in future, adding that legal process for arrest of the persons involved will continue as per law.

MLA Saikot Paulienlal Haokip said that the people have not been getting their full share/entitlement of rice in Churachandpur district and the issue has been raised with the chief minister, who in turn has promised to look into.

The MLA continued that as per decision taken during the meeting, FCI will not be allowed to release any rice from FCI warehouse unless the release order is signed by the DSO.

Whenever the DSO is to lift rice from FCI storehouse, nominees of the MLA have to be informed and no pilferage will be allowed, he added.

Meanwhile, in connection with the reported attempt to siphon off the PDS rice by some elements, district supply officer (DSO) Churachandpur Jayanta briefed the media at his office on Tuesday and clarified that the rice was not siphoned off.

He informed that the trucks carrying the rice were halted while they were directly transporting it (rice) from the FCI warehouse situated at Tualnuam to FCS headquarters.

The DSO further said that the police seized the trucks laden with the PDS rice at a distance of 200 metres from the FCS go-down.

Meanwhile, reliable sources stated that the rice was to be transported to Imphal as admitted by one of the drivers who further disclosed that they were told to go and lift rice from Churachandpur.

The DSO, however, said that as per guidelines the rice has to be transported from FCI go-down to FCS go-down.

On the issue of NFSA rice, he said that it has been given free of cost by the government to the people regularly and disputed the claim that there was a lapse in supply of rice to the people during February.

When pointed out that no NFSA rice was distributed to the beneficiaries for February 2023 and that the release order (RO) for the March was issued few hours back, the DSO assured to conduct of an enquiry.

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