IMPHAL July 2: MLA of Tengnoupal constituency Morung Makunga has accused FCS minister N Biren of withholding PDS items meant for 42 Tengnoupal under Chandel district.
Addressing mediapersons at Manipur Press Club today, the MLA said that his constituency had no problems regarding PDS distribution earlier. The rationing was done by the concerned state authorities including the concerned DC, representatives of the MLA, SDO and DSO’s of the FCS.
The committee set up and consisting of the said members has the responsibility to monitor the rationing agents and selection of the beneficiaries.
According to the MLA, the distribution centres are located at the main villages and separate areas are kept to address small clusters of villages.
The MLA further alleged that since the handing over of power to the Autonomous District Council in Chandel, the distribution of the PDS items have been affected causing hardships to the poor people of the constituency.
He claimed that the devolution of power to the ADCs did not include the functioning of the FCS department among the powers of the 26 departments handed over to the ADCs.
The MLA mentioned that the assistant deputy commissioner of the district Lunminthang had revoked the list of agents mandated for distribution of the PDS items on April 21, after getting orders from the ADC chairman and the FCS minister. The list was to be in effect from December 2009 till December 2012, he added.
When inquired about the cancellation, the ADC chairman Lungkhosai had intimated the MLA that the order was made as per directive of the minister and also added that the MLA should not intervene in the matter .The SDO, DC and other officials denied involvement in the matter.
The matter was taken up to the notice of the Chief Minister by Morung and further the additional DC was made answerable.
Further according to theMLA, the additional DC had replied that he was acting under orders from ADC chairman and the FCS minister.
The Chief Minister had directed the additional DC that the issued order must be declared null and void and the former list of agents and beneficiaries should be reinstated. In the effect, a new order superseding the earlier one was given by the concerned on April 2, 2011.
As the order was reinstated, the agents went to Sangaiporou FCS warehouse to collect the PDS items meant for the month of June last.
It was maintained by the MLA that, the loaded items were downloaded under orders given by the OSD of Sangaiporou, Rk Binoy. The official had intimated the agents that he was acting under directive of the FCS minister.
Morung Makunga on the issue said that the agents including the MLA has been harassed by the FCS minister even after repeated appeals have been made to release the quota meant for the Tengnoupal constituency.
He said even on knowing the policy programs of the PDS schemes, the minister is still turning a deaf ear to the woes of the Tengnoupal public and alleged that his constituency has been singled out and victimized. He added that 200 quintals for BPL and 98 quintals for AAY beneficiaries of Machi block, 117 quintals for BPL and 98 quintals for AAY for42 Tengnoupal is required for a month.