IMPHAL, June 21: Even God would have failed to satisfy all the demands, if he was made the Minister of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution (CAF and PD) . This interesting take was stated by opposition leader, Dr Ibohalbi Singh taking part in the discussion on Demand No 15 for CAF and PD in Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Raising a Motion of Disapproval of Policy Cut on the demand, he said that there is no problem when Food Corporation of India (FCI) allots food items to CAF and Public Distribution Department.
Now the problem of the department is among the beneficiaries of the food items from CAF and PD department through rationing agents, he said.
There are six MLAs of six constituencies in Bishnupur District but half of the share of the items is lost by the time the items reach the beneficiaries, the MLA observed while adding that only 50% of the total load reaches the public only for six months in a year.
TDPS introduced by the government of India means Targeted Public Distribution System, he said and added that AAY, BPL and APL card holders should be provided with all the total quotas in time under TDPS but all of them cannot be provided.
Pointing out that there are 37, 858 AAY, BPL and APL families in Bishnupur district out of which Oinam has 1, 650 families, he said offerings are to be made in a bid to obtain permit from the CAF and PD for getting the items to be provided to the families.
He expressed that offerings are made to superintendents of the department and sometimes police commandos are also found at the gate of CAF and PD department and offerings are also made to them.
MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh went on to say that APL rice costs Rs 856 per quintal only but due to such leakages along the way, the cost of APL rice per quintal reaches Rs 1200.
What is the policy of the concerned Minister in this context? he said and asked how the leakages can be resolved.
On the other hand, moving the Motion of Disapproval of Policy Cut, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh took part in the discussion on demand No 37 for Fisheries and said that as per regular DPC conducted by the Manipur government in 1985, 120 employees were selected in the Fishery department.
Out of the selected posts, 116 posts are of grade III while four posts were of grade IV and it is learnt that though the department had selected 120 posts, the actual vacancy of the department at that time was only about 50/51, he said and added that some of the appointed individuals who worked in the department for 30 years had already passed away, while some are about to get pension.
He further drew the attention of the House to let them retire on a pension by enjoying the status of being a government employee.
The MLA observed that the state was unable to meet the demand of fish and had to subsequently rely on imported fish. He appealed to the government to formulate a policy to resolve the situation.