• NPCC demands high level inquiry to probe allegations
• MTLT says this issue might be just the tip of the iceberg
MOKOKCHUNG/DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 5 (MExN): Alarmed over the recent expose of ‘pilfering and black marketing’ of PDS rice by a Fair Price Shop (FPS) in Mokokchung, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) and the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) on Friday, through separate press statements have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
“This issue might be just the tip of the iceberg,” MTLT in a press statement stated. It informed that Mokokchung Police and District Administration had raided one FPS at Arkong ward and another godown at Tongdentsuyong Ward, where suspected pilfered rice was found is huge quantity. The owner has been arrested and in police custody. The police and administration, in the presence of the civil society and public, duly sealed two godowns.
NPCC in a separate statement said the exposure of a FPS owner selling PDS items in the open market has brought to light the level of corruption which has riddled the Department of Food and Civil Supplies (F&CS).
Such level of corruption cannot happen unless the district-in-charge and department staffs of F&CS are also involved, the NPCC said. It has demanded the Nagaland Chief Minister, who looks after the department, to initiate action against the culprits and also set up a top level inquiry commission immediately to unearth the scam in the department.
According to MTLT, its officials, besides the Ward Council Members, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), DB’s and public leaders – were also witness to the raids conducted by the District Administration and the police on Sunday, January 31, 2016.
The MTLT acknowledged the Inquiry Committee headed by the ADC, Mokokchung, formed by the Mokokchung DC to probe the scam. However, it felt that one or two responsible civil society members should be included in the Inquiry Committee since it concerns the public and the main stakeholders are the public themselves.
“Besides, the MTLT also questions why the District Administration is still keeping the culprits’ shops open. The shops must have been sealed by now keeping in view the volatility of the scam,” it stated.
Reminding that ‘PDS rice’ is meant for the needy people in society, it said that pilfering of such goods should be considered as the “lowliest of crimes as it amounts to depriving the needy of their rice generously given by the government.”
Calling for thorough investigation into the matter, the MTLT cautioned that this issue “might be just the tip of the iceberg.”
The NPCC also cautioned that if the issue is not addressed immediately and action taken is not made known to the public, it will go to any extent to expose and deliver justice.
