Imphal, December 02: Cracking the whip against the fraudulent diversion of goods to be distributed under the Public Distribution System of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, the FCS Minister has ordered the suspension of an Additional Director of the Department while stern action has been recommended against two other officials.

The Additional Director, N Meghachandra, was suspended in connection with the disappearance of 900 quintals of sugar that was supposed to be supplied to the consumers at subsidised rates.

The other two officials, against whom stern action has been recommended, are identified as Civil Supplies Inspector Nabakanta and a UDC Gimjapao.

Talking to newsmen at his office chamber today, FCS Minister Ngamthang Haokip said that action was taken up against the three employees as they were found involved in the disappearance of the large quantity of sugar meant for the public.

The sugar was brought into the State some time back in 70 trucks.

The FCS Minister promised that a crack down will soon be launched to tone up the Public Distribution System and added that he has received several complaints from the public over the functioning of the PDS.

Haokip also appealed to the public to extend their co-operation in the drive taken up to tone up the PDS.

On the scarcity of kerosene oil, the Minister said that the over 100 extension points set up to distribute kerosene to the public will be reviewed and added that their functioning has already come under sharp observation.

The Minister added that during the observation period kerosene oil will not be supplied at the extension points and the permission granted to them will be reviewed and if necessary alternative arrangements will be made soon.

For the moment the responsibility of distributing kerosene will be entrusted to the respective DCs and SDOs.

Dispelling any doubt over the non availability of PDS rice with the FCS, the Minister that though there have been many complaints that the public are not receiving their due share of the rice, the FCS godown is over flowing with the same.

One reason why the rice is not reaching the public is the failure of the DCs to deposit the required money on time, said Ngamthang Haokip and hinted there are other forces at play for the rice not reaching the intended people.

If the Home Department extends its co-operation and provides the needed security to transport the rice to all the districts, then there will be no problem, added the Minister.

Hinting that there are a number of outside interests interfering in the functioning of the FCS Department, Haokip said that security has been beefed up at the FCS godown at Sangaiprou and its offices as well.

The security personnel have been instructed to strictly monitor the entry of visitors and even employees without their ID cards are not allowed to enter the office complex, he added.

The Minister further said that it would be better to hand over the security duty to the CRPF.

At the moment IRB men are manning the FCS godown and office.

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