Imphal, September 19: Alleging that they have not been given their due share of the vegetable seeds and cash under the Economic Development Programme by the MOBC, beneficiaries of the vegetable framing trades tried to storm the office of the MOBC Directorate at Governor's road today.

The beneficiaries said that they were supposed be given the seeds of different vegetables worth Rs 5000 as well as Rs 913 as cash grant.

However the quantity of seeds they were given today were not worth more than Rs 400/500.When The Sangai Express contacted the Commissioner of MOBC, Suhel Akhtar today evening, the officer said that the beneficiaries were given their due share.

He however admitted that they could not given the seeds of peas due to the prolonged economic blockade which affected the supply of the seeds for the farmers.

The Commissioner explained that seeds of about 7 variety of vegetables are to be distributed to the beneficiaries.

Except for the seeds of peas the seeds of the other vegetables were distributed to the beneficiaries.

The seeds are of high quality, costly but not bulky and that may be the reason why the beneficiaries felt cheated, he said and added that the seeds of peas are bulky and if these were distributed today, then the problem may not have arisen.

On the grant of cash, the Commissioner said that the amount will be given by cheque.

However the beneficiaries stuck to their gun and said that there is no transparency in the dealing.

They said that they were not informed earlier that there would be cash grant either.

This point should be explained by the authority concerned, they said and added that what they received today as far lesser than what they were supposed to receive.

To set things right, a new body, EDP Beneficiaries Committee under MOBC was formed today so that the beneficiaries get their due share, they said.

Comment