TSE launches NFSA campaign Complaints galore against NFSA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 14 2016: Rather than creating food security which is exactly its objective, the National Food Security Act (NFSA) is painting a very sorry picture in Manipur.

Even though the NFSA was enacted in 2013, the same Act was launched in Manipur only in April this year.

Since the NFSA was launched in the State, distribution of subsidized rice to BPL families was suspended.

Instead of fulfilling its objective of creating food security, the NFSA has literally paralysed public distribution system in the State.

According to the guidelines of the Act, families whose annual incomes are above Rs 50,000, households of which any member is a Government employee, households which own light motor vehicles (four wheelers) and households where electricity connection is above 4 KW are not eligible to be enlisted as NFSA beneficiaries.

The NFSA aims to provide subsidised food grains to 75 per cent of the country's rural population and 10 per cent of the urban population.

The Sangai Express, with a view to streamline implementation of NFSA in the State, has launched a campaign.

Our readers, patrons, well-wishers and the general public who wish to share their grievances, complaints, opinions and suggestions may call 9402837089.Many political parties have already raised a hue and cry over the sloppy implementation of NFSA in the State.

BJP Manipur Pradesh and CPI Manipur State Council have already formed separate committees to monitor NFSA implementation.

Dr M Nara, overall in-charge of CPI's newly formed/launched Campaign for Proper Implementation of NFSA in Manipur, said that CPI has been undertaking different campaigns since June with the common objective of ensuring proper implementation of NFSA.

Speaking to media persons at Irabot Bhavan here today, Dr Nara said that they submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on June 25.Direct involvement of MLAs in the selection process of NFSA priority households was disappointing.

MLAs have also been holding back bunches of ration cards.

On the other hand, many Fair Price Shops have been either distributing rice in lesser quantities or at higher prices.

The State Government asked the Central Government to ensure that the State's quota of rice can cover 87 per cent of the total population of Manipur.

Yet, the State Government is still unable to distribute subsidised rice to a vast majority of the beneficiaries.

Such abject failure smacks of a conspiracy between the State Government and transporters, Dr Nara said.

With the situation growing worse every single day, the Government need to take up some concrete actions immediately otherwise people may assume that the Government is violating their right to food, he added.

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