IMPHAL, June 15: The Sustainable Livelihood Forum Manipur (SLF-M) Working Committee representing civil societies from all the nine districts and all the ethnic communities of Manipur is conducting a public hearing on the Right to Food on July 9 at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound here.
Harsh Mander, the Commissioner of Right to Food, Supreme Court of India has kindly accepted the invitation of the committee to lead the hearing, SLF-M said the forum’s convener K Shangnaidar Tontang.
He continued that that food is fundamental and basic to every human being and that various schemes and programmes of the government have been converted into a legal right following a series of Supreme Court orders since 2011.
This has also been affirmed by the Citizen Charter issued by the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department, government of Manipur, he added.
He also said that encouraged by the dynamic leadership of the present FCS Minister, SLF-M is organizing this public hearing in the state in order to translate the rhetoric at the top level into real benefits of the people at the grassroots.
The public hearing will focus on six thematic issues namely, non-issuance of card to the eligible beneficiaries, hurdles in charging new cards when the status changes, lack of access/irregular access to entitlements by card holders, non-opening of Fair Price shops (FPS), re-conduct of Below Poverty Level Survey and appointment of competent and sincere FPS agents.
Meanwhile Human Rightts Aert executive director, babloo Loitongbam said even though there has bee a series of workshop and training on Right to food in both hills and valley districts but still the crisis of distribution of rice remains.
He continued that Manipur is the only state where Ministers are involve in the distribution of FCS items.