PDS Rice Shiphoning


FCS Minister cracks whip against cheats:

Imphal, Jan 3: A godown illegally storing PDS rice that had been diverted before it reached the beneficiaries was discovered in a raid conducted by the state food and civil supplies department led by the FCS minister Y Erabot at Mantripukhri.

FCS Minister Y Erabot Singh along with officials of the FCS department detected more than 5000 bags of rice (50 kg per bag) meant for AAY and BPL at the godown located near the NRL oil pump at Mantripukhri along the NH-39 under Heingang police station on Thursday at around 11.30 am.

A total of 42 road movement permissions issued by the Food Corporation of India, FCI from its godown at Sangaiprou to various PDS agents were also seized.

No arrests were made but the minister has asked the police to seize the item for necessary action after thorough investigation.

The godown belongs to Bipin Traders run by one Kewal Agarwal. It was rented to one Manglem, proprietor of the NRL retail outlet station, Mantripukhri.

According to the FCS minister, the raid was conducted after a long investigation on his own effort after receiving complaints of not getting PDS rice under Central sponsored schemes of AAY and BPL for the month of November 2007.

Interestingly, the deputy commissioners of the districts had intimated acknowledgment on the receipt and distribution of the rice quotas for the month of November to the state FCS department.

The minister also showed the intimations received signed by the deputy commissioners to the mediapersons.

When asked about the involvement of district authorities, the minister said, "It will be too early to say that district administrators were involved in diversion of PDS rice."

As per report submitted by the DCs of four districts, Tamenglong, Imphal east, Bishnupur and Thoubal, a total of 18208.87 quintals of rice under BPL and 8395.50 quintals of rice under AAY have been lifted from the FCS godown and distributed to the card holders.

But he revealed negligence on the part of the district authorities in the distribution of PDS items.

Regarding the complaints of non distribution of PDS rice for the month of November, 2007, Erabot said that even the card holders of AAY and BPL in his constituency are yet to get the rice while the DCs said the same had been distributed to the beneficiaries.

Erabot went on to say that today`s discovery was only one instance. There was possibility of such diversions in other godowns at various places.

But he said he was helpless as officials of the FCS department could not go out to inspect such godowns though there were reliable reports, as they were under threat.

He also ruled out sending the FCS officials with the police as he did not have full confidence in the police who could not even nab a storekeeper of his department.

Police, mention may be made, is yet to apprehend the storekeeper A Ranabir who allegedly siphoned rice from the FCS godown even after the FCS director lodged a complaint against the storekeeper recently.

A total of six officials were taking asylum at the state guest house after they received threats from underground elements and their residences were being attacked every now and then.

In this situation, they could not go for inspection, the minister said giving reasons for his personal involvement in Thursday’s raid.

Source: The Imphal Free Press

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