Imphal, October 22: With the involvement of many officials of the FCS Department in the irregularities of the functioning of the Public Distribution System coming to light, during the course of an investigation, FCS Minister Y Erabot is set to visit Nungba tomorrow to conduct an on the spot inquiry into the recent report of intercepting 10 Silchar-bound trucks laden with stolen PDS rice by NSCN (I-M).

Disclosing this while talking to The Sangai Express at his office chamber today, FCS Minister Y Erabot informed that the involvement of and close nexus between the dealers and the officials of the FCS Department have been unearthed during the course of investigation into the existing irregularities and denial of Kerosene and other PDS items to the people.

It has also been found out that out of the total allocated Kerosene quota for Imphal West, only 21.3 percent had been released to the dealers for distribution among the people while the remaining 78 percent had been kept aside for the underground outfits, the Minister said without specifying the related month.

Necessary steps have been initiated to suspend the officials concerned of the Department who were involved in such irregularities, the Minister added.

'Suspension is not the only action to be taken up against them.

Further investigation would be conducted and charge-sheets framed against them', the Minister stated.

It is said that the Kerosene made available to the people by the Department is being released through the appointed dealers of the IOC in accordance with the sub-allocation made by the Government.

When asked what measures have been taken up by the Department to streamline distribution of Kerosene to the people, the Minister said 'Work is now being taken up under my leadership'.

The Minister informed that in order to monitor lifting of Kerosene from oil depot of the IOC at North AOC, two Inspectors of the Departments have been deputed.

There will be reshuffling of the deputed Inspectors from time to time and a close watch would be kept on their integrity and sincerity in performing the assigned works.

Among the dealers there are some who simply claimed hat the Kerosene lifted from the depot has been utilised although not a single drop were provided to the people, the Minister said, while disclosing that one Kerosene dealer of Yairipok-based M/S Kunjo and Sons had been arrested by the police some days earlier in connection with a similar case.

However two associates of the said dealers are still absconding.

On the other hand, the FCS Minister, Y Erabot is scheduled to go for an on the spot inquiry in connection with the interception of 10 trucks laden with stolen FCS rice by the NSCN (IM) while proceeding toward Silchar for selling off the rice there on October 10.In connection with the matter, the Minister has also sought a report from the Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong district, said sources.

NH-53 bandh : Vehicular movement along the National Highway 53 continue to cripple for the past one week due to the bandh called by the Imphal-Silchar Transporters' Welfare Society, reports our Jiribam correspondent.

The Society has urged the State Government to initiate steps so as to prevent imposition of frequent blockade along the said route by different organisations in pursuing their demands.

The Society has also lamented that the National Highway-53 has become the most vulnerable route exposing the transporters to the anti-social elements who often hold them for ransom and other reasons.

Till today, there is no report of any untoward incident during the bandh.

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