NFSA beneficiaries cry foul, protest reduction in rice quota
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 06 2025: Protesting unfair deduction in the quota of rice, NFSA card holders of Shamurou have refused to receiverice.

The beneficiaries of the PDS rice who have refused to receive rice are of polling station number 22/4 and 22/5 under Shamurou in Wangoi Assembly Constituency.

Earlier, rice was given a Kg less than the mandated quota per household.

Now, a household was being given one Kg less for every individual beneficiary in the family, significantly reducing the quantity of rice, they said.

Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), an individual beneficiary is given 5 Kg of rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS) .

The reduction in the quantity of rice by one Kg for every individual beneficiary is a gross injustice to the beneficiaries of the scheme, said Moirangthem Sharat, a beneficiary who refused to receive his quota of rice.

The agents who are distributing the rice have not given clear explanation about the significant reduction in the quota of rice per beneficiary.

People of the two polling stations have refused to receive the rice.

The Government authorities concerned must look into the matter and take actions, he said.

Moirangthem Pramodini, another beneficiary, said earlier a household was given one Kg less than the actual quota.

"A family of 4 beneficiaries was earlier given 19 Kg of rice, one Kg less than the actual quota (20 Kg) .

Now, the same family is being given only 16 Kg of rice by deducting one Kg of rice per individual," she said.

She further claimed the clarifications the agents have given aren't satisfactory and doubtful.

When enquired, the agents said the deduction has been made to cover new card holders (beneficiaries) whose quota of rice has not been allocated.

This clarification they have given seems wrong, Pramodini.

When the beneficiaries protested and refused to receive their share of rice, the agents allegedly challenged them to approach and raise complaints to whoever they want, said the locals of the two polling stations, seeking attention and appropriate actions from the authorities concerned.

Notably, in a press meet called by agents at Shamurou this afternoon, Wangkheimayum Sanayaima, representing the agents, said the deduction in the quantity of rice has been made to cover for the new card holders whose quota of rice has not been allocated.

The deduction has been made to give the new card holders their share of rice on humanitarian ground, he said.

He claimed 1,900 new beneficiaries have been added for Wangoi Constituency.

"These 1,900 new beneficiaries are our fellow people.

Until their quota of rice has been allocated, we can share our quota of rice with them.

It is on this ground that the quota has been reduced.

The agents are not looting the rice," he said.

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