According to a highly reliable source, the buffer stock of the godowns of the State Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution had been sharply depleting.
However, officials refused to disclose the latest stock position. On the other hand, complaints of irregularities and non-availability of relief materials provided by government surfaced the provision of relief assistances. Even though government had announced 10 kg of rice for each family affected by the flood, government agencies were distributing only 1.5 kg of rice at some areas in Thongju Assembly constituency, alleged local residents and leaders.
A chaotic situation developed yesterday at Iroishemba IYDC ground in Imphal west district when some beneficiaries lodged complaints that the rice provided by the government authority through the local MLA was less than the declared quantity.
Further, against the government fixed quota of 10 kg of rice to each family, distributing authorities distributed only 4 kg of rice to per family. Apart from distributing less quantity of rice, 12 families were deprived of getting the relief as such.
Meanwhile, government has convened a high level meeting on October 17 to discuss and find a way to cope up with the shortage of rice.
The meeting would be attended by FCI joint secretary (North East in-charge) Daljit Singh.
During the meeting, a compiled report on the present stock position of rice would be submitted to the Union Home Secretary, GK Pillai who is arriving on October 18.
pillai will review the stock position of the essential commodities which was declining due to the economic blockade imposed on the national highways.
~ NP
