IMPHAL, March 3: Consumer, Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD) today informed the House that 24,84,438 individuals of the State’s total population of 28,55,794 will avail provisions under the National Food Security Act in the State.
The minister was responding to queries raised by MLAs from the opposition benches during the discussion and voting for demands on grants for fiscal year 2016-16.
Okendro said the department is on war footing to implement the National Food Security Act by April this year adding that a sum of Rs 30 crore, as central matching share, has been sanctioned by the government considering the importance of the Act.
He pointed out that around 21 lakh cards have been processed till date, which is 74 percent of the total population, against the target of 87 set by the department.
According to him the delay in the process was due to the uncertainty while identifying the beneficiaries under the provision of the Act.
As a result, the District level Committee, comprising of representatives from different levels, could not progressed their activities hindering the entire process, he added.
With most of the process almost over, the biggest challenge in efficiently implementing the Act still lies ahead, said Okrendro.
Under the Act the beneficiaries will be provided with one kg of rice at Rs 3, one kg of wheat at Rs 2, one kg of coarse at Re 1.
Okrendro revealed that CAF&PD which is perceived to be one of the scandalous departments, is about to become the most transparent department.
The minister further divulged that the department has received strong instruction from the Centre to implement Direct Benefit Transfer of Subsidised Kerosene Oil in the State like that of LPG gas.
Further in his clarification, the minister claimed that Manipur has yet to claim its share of coal, one lakh Metric ton, since 2011.
He said that intervention by unwanted elements while floating tenders and other processes, were the reasons behind the failure to get the allocation.
However, the department is actively considering to claim its share in the interest of the public, he continued.
A cut motion was also moved by Thangmeiband MLA, Kh Joykishan Singh on the department on account of failure of the goal to deliver PDS items properly to the beneficiaries and lack of proper management in PDS.
Other MLAs who gave their observation and opinion during the discussion for the demands includes Keisamthong MLA L Ibomcha, Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar, Thongju MLA Th Bishwajit Singh.