TDC demands CBI probe against DGM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 15 2014: Accusing the Deputy General Manager (DGM) of FCI regional office Imphal of conspiring to ship in rice at a higher rate rather than at cheaper rate, the Transporters and Drivers Council (TDC) has demanded an enquiry by CBI against the DGM.

Speaking to media persons at the MG Avenue office of the all Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union, TDC vice-president Th Ibohal said that Rs 38,000 was paid for transportation of nine tonnes of rice along Imphal-Jiribam highway whereas Rs 63,000 was paid for the same quantity of rice when transported along Imphal-Dimapur highway.

By opting for Imphal-Dimapur highway, the DGM has been wasting huge amounts of money thereby draining the FCI's coffer.

The matter deserves thorough enquiry by the CBI, Ibohal asserted.

Expressing surprise over the FCI Staff Welfare Association's contention that the allegations levelled against the DGM were baseless, Ibohal asked if the DGM had done anything good for the people of Manipur and Imphal-Jiribam highway at any point of time.

Further dismissing the DGM's clarification that transport contractor could not be nominated due to cases pending in the High Court and the Supreme Court, Ibohal maintained that pending cases cannot be correlated with closure of Imphal-Jiribam highway to rice transporters.

Prohibition on transportation of rice at a cheaper rate along Imphal-Jiribam highway cannot be any sign of sharing concern for the highway's fate.

He went on to question the FCI Staff Welfare Association's assertion that rice was transported from Jagiroad to Jiribam continuously after the DGM sent a proposal to this end even as transportation of rice by railways up to Jiribam has been suspended.

Cessation of rice transportation by railway from Lumding to Jiribam cannot be in the interest of the people of Manipur.

It is rather paradoxical that rice have been stocked to the full capacity at Jiribam godowns whereas transportation of rice along Imphal-Jiribam highway has been prohibited.

Imphal-Jiribam highway may not mean anything to FCI officers enjoying fat salaries but the highway is the only means of livelihood for transporters and transport workers, he added.

He reiterated the demand to dismiss the DGM who allegedly shares no concern over the woes of transporters and the people of Manipur.

Even as the Guwahati Zonal Office and district offices recommended resumption of rice transport along Imphal-Jiribam highway, the DGM did not forward the recommendation and this must be understood by the FCI Welfare Association.

All Manipur Road Transporters Drivers and Motor Workers Union secretary H Kullamani said that they would launch an agitation by driving trucks to FCI office if the DGM is not replaced and a new transport contractor is appointed.

Comment