Minphong Konyak
Mon | August 17
In a very crucial meeting called by Konyak Union at its office in Mon, the apex tribal body in the district has resolved to ‘ban the existing corruption’ in the Supply department of Mon District and revive the “good old Fair Price Shop” system in the district. The meeting was a culmination of untold suffering faced by the common people in the district due to acute shortage of rice and other basic and essential commodities throughout the year, especially, during economic blockades, like the recent one imposed by AASU. Beside the unavailability of these commodities, prices are also sky-high completely in contradiction to normal norms.
A survey around the town revealed that there is not even a single functioning Fair Price Shop where these essential commodities are entitled to be found. Instead, they are sold in private shops belonging to Marwaries and other businessmen at exorbitant prices. For instance, according to government approved rate, a quintal of AAY rice is Rs. 300 and BPL Rs. 565. But both these qualities are illegally sold at unauthorized private shops at a price between Rs. 1300 and Rs. 1500 making a profit of around thousand rupees per quintal and robbing the innocent poor.
According to available details, such illegal and corrupt business has been going on for almost more than a decade with some individuals making lakhs of rupees illegally. According to inside sources, ‘depositors’ from all subdivisions draw their allotted quotas and instead of taking and selling in their respective places, sell the commodities to businessmen in the town at very profitable rates who sell to the consumers at the mentioned rates.
Meanwhile in an effort to put an end to this, the KU called a meeting of FCI officials Mon in charge, ADS and staffs, Fair Price Shop Union, depositors, garage contractors and all involved for rectification. After a long deliberation which involved accusations, justifications, etc, KU finally in the interest of the general public gave the verdict to end this corruption. The resolution signed by president of the KU Khoiwang, ADS Mon Chailong Phom, Supply Inspector Pangjai, member of Mon Town Council Thangpang, and president of the Fair Price Shop Union, Wangkhum stated that no food stuff/ commodities under Supply and FCI shall be allowed to be sold in any private shops except in government-registered fair price shops w.e.f October 2007. In this connection, no unauthorized private individuals shall deposit or sell these commodities. If found, KU and Supply Department shall impose fine or take whatever action necessary upon the defaulters, it was informed.
The KU further directed the department to clear up all pending cases before October 2007. Fair Price Union Mon was entrusted to take up public distribution at a minimum rate from October. But they were also cautioned about cancellation of their license as and when necessary according to their deeds. Not surprisingly, no representative of FCI and Garage Contractors in-charge of Mon were present in the meeting for any comment.
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