Rice pilfered during previous govt, charges Karam Shyam

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 12

The state government is currently discussing ways to implement and check pilferage of PDS rice. Beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) avail rice under the AAY and priority household rice (PHR), but reports state that many beneficiaries are left high and dry.

There has been charges that officials of the department have been engaged in pilfering the rice meant for beneficiaries. The recent investigation by Thoubal district administration found that six months of rice quota for Lillong Assembly constituency has been pilfered. Moreover, rice meant to be given to fair price agents is not given but handed over to private parties, signatures have been forged to avail the rice as reported by Imphal Free Press in its August 10 issue.

In the regard, minister of consumer affairs, Karam Shyam told Imphal Free Press that the problem of rice pilfering is the fault of the previous government. He said that there are no irregularities during the four month old BJP led government and rice allocation has been distributed for the month of July. The government is discussing to place certain safeguards so that the pubic distribution system reaches the intended beneficiaries.

It may be mentioned that the investigation report from the Thoubal deputy commissioner was also handed over to the anti-corruption department for issuing further notice to the CAF and PD department officials.