Consumers Club questions vanishing fund
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 10 2012:
Even as Rs 30 lakhs was sanctioned for setting up consumers clubs in each and every Government school in the State, no such club has been established so far but the sanctioned amount has vanished without a trace.
Talking exclusively to The Sangai Express, Consumers Club Manipur president Arun Pangambam said that the State Government was directed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in 2011 to form a consumer club in each and every Government school.
The Ministry's instruction clearly laid down that each club should have 20 members comprising of teachers and staff.
These clubs should monitor goods provided to the schools under PDS and also the manner how the goods were utilized.
The Ministry's written intimation also directed that these clubs should coordinate with the Consumers Club Manipur.
To set up these consumers clubs, the Ministry sanctioned Rs 30 lakhs to the State Government but no process has been initiated till date to form any such club, Arun decried.
Questioning where and how the amount sanctioned by the Ministry was utilised, he said that this scheme was exclusively for the North East region.
Formation of consumer clubs has been completed in all other North Eastern States.
Similar clubs are already operational in other Indian States too.
Because of the presence of these clubs, there was no irregularity or mismanagement of PDS items provided to Government schools of other States, claimed Arun.
If the consumer clubs are set up and allowed to function without undue interference, it would go a long way in ensuring that Government school students get what they are entitled to like mid-day meal, school uniform, text books etc.
If the oft-repeated goal of quality education must be achieved, the practice of misappropriating or denying goods entitled to students must be stopped, he asserted.
Despite all the palpable grievances, Manipuri people are not being provided PDS items regularly and/or in adequate quantities.
Yet, no one has lodged a formal complaint with the Consumers Club regarding any case of denying or siphoning off PDS items.
Pointing out that there is something called consumers rights, the Consumers Club president appealed to all the people to exercise these rights.