IMPHAL, March 15: Konthoujam Block Youth and Mahila Congress committees have charged local MLA K Sharat of being biased in allocation of fair price shop centres under the National Food Security Act.
Speaking at a press conference today at the Manipur Press Club, spokesperson of the committees K Beigendro claimed that a notification issued on March 10 by the Imphal West DC announcing the names of FPS centres in the district, Konthoujam constituency has been allotted only three centres, despite the constituency covering a vast area. On the other hand, other constituencies have more than 12 to 15 centres allotted, he added.
At the same time, all the centres are at residences of the MLA’s relatives or workers, he claimed.
In such a scenario, the people can only face many problems in availing their ration at low price, he continued.
Now, the people will have to spend more money in transportation despite the fact that the Act aims to provide the ration in low rates, he said. The location of the centres is such that many people have to cover more than 5 km to collect their ration, he added.
He said it is unfortunate that the three centres are allotted to only Konthoujam Lairembi Leikai, Sagoltongba Mayai Leikai and heikrujam Maning Leikai.
The youth and women’s committees of the Konthoujam Congress Block are suspicious as to whether the local MLA K Sharat was directly involved in preparing the allocation of FPS centres, he added.
He further appealed to the concerned DC to look into the matter and do the needful.
He said all provisions under the Indian Constituency should also reach the people of Konthoujam, he added.
Zila Parishad member Bijayenti Devi said there are 40 polling stations in the constituency, and it is unfortunate that we have been allotted only three FPS centres for the FSA.
She said more than 27 thousand population of the constituency will be suffering because of this, and so the concerned DC and MLA should held a discussion with all elected representatives including of the local civic bodies to discuss more allocation of centres for the constituency before April 1 which is the set schedule for implementation of the Act in the State.
If the demands are denied, the Konthoujam Block Youth and Mahila Congress Committees will launch different forms of democratic agitations, Bijayenti said.