Imphal, May 16: Taking serious note of the irregularities in the functioning of Public Distribution System (PDS), Food and Civil Supplies Minister Th Debendra has stated that the Government is seriously mulling over the possibility of working out a concrete mechanism to streamline the system so as to ensure that PDS items directly reach the people.

Debendra conveyed this in his response during the discussion on the Demands for Grant of FCS Department in the Assembly today.

He also called upon the legislators, public leaders and NGOs to help in bringing out the proposed mechanism.

While asserting that the FCS godown at Sangaiprou has enough stock of foodstuff sugar, rice and wheat and that the inflow of such stuff is smooth and regular, the Minister said the excess items would be kept at the Koirengei godown.

The Government has been taking utmost care in ensuring that the PDS items reach the public directly, the Minister said, adding that as part of streamlining the distribution process, 300 quintals of rice have been recently transported to Churachandpur district under police escort.

Stating that the District Supply Officer concerned was earlier authorised to issue permit for procuring the PDS items, the Minister said that the procedure has been changed with permits being verified and countersigned by the DC concerned before releasing the items.

Now it is also being scrutinied into as to for whom the permits are issued, he added.

Iterating the commitment of the Government to improve the functioning the FCS Department in ensuring distribution of PDS items including Kerosene oil to the people directly, the Minister emphasised on the need to frame specific rules to empower the district police in this connection.

In his response to the discussion on the Demand for Grant of Tribal Development (TD) Department, TD Minister Phungzathang Tonsing disclosed that the Government has agreed, in principle, to the demand of ATSUM to decentralise the power of TD officials at the district level.

Maintaining that the Centre is also in favour ofthis arrangement, the TD Minister said the State Government is studying its merits and demerits.

The Minister further informed that the Pension Benefit Scheme for employees under the District Council has been extended and as per a decision adopted by the State Cabinet, the Govt employees who retired before February 28 last year can also enjoy the benefit.

Participating in the discussion on the Demands, Opposition MLA O Joy maintained that the PDS items are not reaching the deserving poor people.

'So the Demand for Grant of the FCS Department may be passed anyhow but my heart does not agree to it', he said.

Expressing desire for working out a new mechanism to ensure that the PDS items are made available to the people directly, Joy alleged that the distribution of rice, sugar, wheat and kerosene under the Targeted Public Distribution System is being done only on paper.

He demanded to know whether there is any mill for grinding the wheat quota allotted to and if there is any, where it is located and how much power consumed.

He further asserted that the allotment of wheat quota to Manipur as mentioned in the Annual Administrative Report is a misnomer as it is being intercepted at the higher level.

Even if 3,000 litres of Kerosene is supposedly given to the MLAs, there are many who do not take it as they do not get their full quota.

One litre of kerosene does not even cost Rs 10 but it is difficult to get even if one is willing to pay Rs 35.In such a situation, there is no reason why the people should not be angry, he observed.

If the PDS items for the poor people are being siphoned off by the NGOs, then they should stop this at once, Joy said.

Ruling MLA Y Erabot observed that the people are not getting their due share of the rice under AAY and BPL scheme as the undergrounds deduct their share from the allotted quota.

Out of the total State quota of 2132 kilolitres of kerosene given by the Government of India, the MLAs are being provided only half of the their respective quota.

Does it meant that the Government has surrendered to the undergrounds, he questioned. As for himself, he said, he would take the full quota and would fight for it.

He also sought the co-operation of the people in this regard.

Kerosene is used to mix with petrol being sold in black market to earn more money.

This should be checked, he said.

MLA Awangbou Newmai pointed out that there are no infrastructure in the schools under Tribal Development Department.

Lack of adequate teachers in these schools has resulted in denial of basic education to the students.

There is the problem of scarcity of food-grain in Tamenglong district, he said adding there is also the need to improve the Minor irrigation facilities in the district.

MLA Morung Makunga contended that the fund sanctioned are not being utilised properly as the election of the District Council has not been held for long.

The DCs and the CEOs concerned are doing whatever they like.

The post of the CEO should be given to an MCS officer, he said, drawing the attention of the Government to the alleged smuggling out of Kerosene quota of Tengnoupal into Myanmar.

MLA RK Anand demanded to know from the Government whether there is involvement of undergrounds in denial of benefits of the Centrally sponsored schemes in the rural areas.

MLA Dr Khasim Ruivah urged for speeding up the Minor Irrigation activities in the hill area as well as for taking up necessary measures to solve the problem of shortage of food-grains in the hills.

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