Source: The Sangai Express / Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, November 27 2010:
Amidst strong resentment from FPS Agents, Ukhrul district administration has conducted distribution of PDS rice to AAY and BPL card holders of the district, including at far-flung villagers, within a record five days this time.
The distribution ended yesterday with Huishu and Poi being the last villages.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference held in this regard today, Assistant Commissioner Armstrong Pame, who is the DC in-charge, said the district administration was able to provide AAY and BPL rice to targeted people including villagers of border areas like Jessami and Tusompoi in north and Ashang Khullen, Pongbun and Kangkhum in south within five days.
Meanwhile, FPS Agents of the district have strongly decried the district administration saying that the step has violated rights of the Agents.
Alleging that the distribution was conducted in its own vested interest, a press release of the Agents urged State authorities concerned to look into the matter at the earliest.
The Agents further alleged that the district administration distributed AAY/BPL rice to poor people at a hiked rate of Rs 10 per kg, which clearly surpassed the prescribed rate.
The release also said that the Agents have resolved to seek information on the new step of the district administration through RTI.
However, the Assistant Commissioner (AC) during his press conference claimed that PDS items have reached the targeted needy people for the first time which were otherwise never received by AAY and BPL card holders due to the monopoly played by FPS Agents.
He added that numerous complaints were filed at Consumer Court and High Court against FPS Agents and SK oil dealers complaining that the allotted quantity has not been provided to card holders.
The AC informed that the existing FPS Agents are almost blacklisted as State Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution Dept has instructed the district administration to entrust distribution of PDS items to women self help groups, co-operatives, urban local bodies and SHGs.