Families deprived of PDS benefits

IMPHAL | Dec 5

Many families with poor economic backgrounds from Naorem Leikai under Langthabal assembly constituency reportedly are deprived of PDS benefits. 

A random survey of the locality was conducted today by Socialist Students’ Union of Manipur, Manipur Proletariat Peoples’ Democratic Union along with a team of media persons. The independent investigation was conducted following alleged complaint received by the two organizations.

During the survey it was found that most of the deserving lot were not given PDS cards besides allotting only 4 kilograms per head to card holders from November.

According one of the PDS agents during the survey, they were allotted with only 4 kilograms for per head by the nominee while clarifying on their failure to give 5 kilogram per head as per norm.

“When we asked the reason for giving only 4 kilogram instead of 5 kilogram, the nominee replied that the missing one kilogram was deducted as a part of quota for some persons,” added the agent without clearly mentioning for whom the one kg was deducted for.

Meanwhile, briefing media persons after the survey SSUM convenor, N. Tanoranjan, lamented on the disparity prevailing in the constituency which also happened to be constituency of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution minister, Karam Shyam.

“How can the people rule out that PDS items are not being misused in the state when people are deprived of the benefit of the benefit in the Minister’s constituency,” he questioned.

Recalling the recent statement of the concerned minister to resign from his post in the event of any irregularities, the suggested the minister quit his post citing the survey report.