Imphal, July 30: Following the decision to institute a House Committee to probe the alleged irregularities in the Public Distribution System under the Food and Civil Supplies Department, the FCS Minister, Ph Parijat today named the members of the House Committee and also came out with the terms of reference.

The term of reference for the inquiry is to verify facts on receipts issued and distribution of food grains including kerosene Oil under the PDS from April 1 of 2000 till July of the current year.

Members included in the committee with FCS Minister Ph Parijat as the Chairman are Health Minister Dr Chalton Lien Amo, Art & Culture Minister Dr M Nara, Tribal Development Minister Ngamthang Haokip, PHE Minister Govindas Konthoujam and W Brajabidhu from the ruling coalition while panel members from the Opposition alliance comprises of MLAs N Bihari, I Hemochandra, M Bhorot, Dr Nimaichand Luwang, L Ibomcha, M Nilachandra, O Joy and Y Erabot.

Earlier during the House proceedings, the FCS Minister was grilled relentlessly with the Opposition members who pointed out the flaws in the rationing system of the Department.

During zero hour Singjamei Assembly Constituency MLA Hemochandra lamented that barely forty eight hours from end of the July month kerosene consumers of his constituency are facing uncertainty whether the essential item could be provided or the quota has lapsed due to official apathy.

Elaborating on the matter, he said despite issue of permit on July 25 to M/s ST Sons for transportation of 22,000 litres of kerosene oil the Advice Slip was not issued to the dealer till 11 am of today.

To address the apprehension \of the public he asked what steps the Minister would initiate to ensure that kerosene quota for the Singjamei kendra consumers does not lapse.

Striking a similar note, Khurai kendra MLA N Bihari resented that the FCS Department AD can never be located which has raised doubts in the minds of the public about the credibility of the local representatives and demanded that appropriate action be initiated against the official for maligning the image of the MLAs.

Also deploring the conduct of the official was Sekmai kendra MLA N Biren who went on to ask whether a deadline would be extended considering the interest of the public consumers.

Joining the discussion, Dr Nimaichand Luwang expressed concern that despite the decision to constitute a House Committee to probe the PDS the members of the proposed Committee have not been named.

Reminding that the FCS Minister had already acknowledged irregularities in the public distribution system (PDS) Dr Luwang demanded a definite standing on formation of the panel.

He stated that ascertaining facts of flaws and effectiveness of the FCS Dept beginning from 1998 would be an arduous and time consuming exercise while mooting that responsibility be given to Dept to inquire from 1998 onwards with the House panel to verify the department facts from 2002 till the current year.

Hot debate ensued between Dr Luwang and the FCS Minister when the former mentioned Y Erabot's name while reading out names from the proposal lists.

Joined by O Joy, Dr Luwang firmly stuck to his contention of staying away from the House panel if the term of reference is shorter than a year and opposition view points not accommodated.