Public grievance against PDS in Tuensang
Dimapur, August 27 (MExN): A recent “public grievance redressal session” in Tuensang on the public distribution system in Tuensang district highlighted the situation of villagers struggling in the face if what was described as callousness of officials responsible for providing ‘food necessities.’
The tone was set for the program when Dr. Chingmak Kejong, Secretary of ECS recounted an incident where a mother in a village after selling few river fishes, hurried home from town. With a few kilograms of rice tied to her dress she hurried home only to find her child dead. All she could say, according to the narrative, was “Why did you die, why couldn’t you wait, before I could come back with the rice?” This reflects the dire situation of the villagers struggling to just live even as the callousness of the officials responsible for providing food necessities continues, a note from the organizers stated.
Tokhuha Sukhalu, Secretary for Food and Civil Supplies was also present. “He was here to listen and address the grievances of the officials and public concerning the Public Distribution System,” said a note received here today. Held under the aegis of Eleutheros Christian Society, the discussion was attended by representatives from the Khiamniungan, Yimchunger, Sangtam and Chang tribes. They each specified the problems faced in their areas. They were all reassured by Sukhalu that the issues would be looked into. A memorandum seeking inclusion of Tuensang district in the proposed “Univerlisation” of PDS in Nagaland was also submitted.
Also, Grace Chapel, a network of positive people submitted a memorandum requesting the department for inclusion of 200 positive people of the network in the AAY category.
A range of grievances were highlighted during the discussions. These included checking actual number of beneficiaries in each village and a point that in 2009 AAY rice was not received “due to late utilization certificates”. The public strongly checking illegal taxation was also another point of discussions. Also selling the rations with high rates “is very wrong” and the anomaly should be immediately addressed, the note said. It added that many meetings have been held but change has not come “so the if the FPS N PDS does not function then the public will go for protest.”
