Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, Jul 31:
The selfless efforts of Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency (ZE-PADA) eventually appears to be paying dividends as fractions of the PDS supplies have resurfaced after its disappearance for more than a decade.
Thirty thousand litres of kerosene oil have been distributed to the public since the past two days even as a students' organization is already coaching its distribution at Rs.11 per litres against the stipulated rate of Rs.9.50 per litre.
Food grains for the month of March under the same programme will also be issued at various distribution points tomorrow regardless of the fact that queries for the month of January and February are still to be answered.
On Saturday, a PDS awareness meeting orchestrated by ZEPADA reaffirmed its demand for direct lifting of PDS supply items from Dimapur or Mizoram; immediate construction of godowns at Churachandpur and additional allocation of food grains in view of the impending 'Mautam' famine.
It also took serious note of the shortage in supplies despite and questioned as to where the due 1.5 lac litres of kerosene oil and food grains for January and February were dumped.
To highlight its grievances, participants also settled for an empty-pot rally here on August 11.Upon enquiring, ZEPADA executives has claimed that appeals have been made to various armed groups to desist their share from PDS supplies.
Of the district's 1.8 lac litres share of kerosene, at least 75,000 litres find its way into various armed groups, sources claimed.
This indicates that another 75,000 litres still fall into the hands of black marketers, apparently in connivance with officials of dubious characters, figured Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Annual Report 2005-06, that also warned of such malpractice likely to invite 'Criminal Liability' under Essential Commodities Act 1955.