Agents demand release of pending PDS rice
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 22 2024: Demanding release of 8-month pending PDS rice for Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency, National Food Security Act (NFSA) agents and sub-agents submitted a memorandum to Khumanthem Diana, Deputy Commissioner, Imphal East today through the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) .

The memorandum bearing the signature of 23 NFSA agents also appealed for declaration of the names of newly appointed Fair Price Shop (FPS) agents.

The NFSA agents and sub agents visited the Imphal East DC Complex today to submit the memorandum to the DC but failed to get permission.

Instead, they met with the ADM and put forward their grievances.

Following the meeting, Md Taj Khan, NFSA Nominee of MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan, shared that NFSA beneficiaries of Kshetrigao AC have been deprived of their PDS rice quota from November 2023 to July 2024 .

Taj added that during their meeting, the ADM assured to start distribution of PDS rice for the people of Kshetrigao from tomorrow (July 23) onwards.

At this juncture, he informed that some agents distributed the rice quota for the month of March, 2024 in a few areas of Kshetrigao AC.

With that, the authorities concerned have not released the entitled rice quota to NFSA beneficiaries in the AC for a total of 8 months, he added.

The NFSA Nominee cautioned that intense agitations will be launched in collaboration with the local public if the Imphal East DC fails to address the concerns of the people and release the pending PDS rice.

Meanwhile, Keisham Kunjarani, a sub-agent from Kongba Nongthombam Leikai, addressed the issue of selection of new agents and termed it unfortunate that the CAF & PD Department reportedly recruited them without informing the older agents whose terms are not yet over.

She also expressed suspicion about the involvement of some political elements working against the interest of MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan leading to the prolonged non-release of NFSA rice.

As the ADM has assured commencement of PDS rice distribution from tomorrow onwards, Kunjarani said that this should be done through the FPS agents appointed following the election of Sheikh Noorul Hassan as Kshetrigao MLA.

Additionally, the State Government should release the list of newly appointed FPS agents, she maintained.

She also decried the "interference" posed by some elements in the distribution of PDS rice under NFSA and further spoke out against alleged bias against the Kshetrigao MLA who belongs to a different party than the ruling Government.

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