Mokokchung, March 11 (MExN): The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) today expressed concern at the “lackadaisical attitude” of the Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner, Sushil Kumar Patel over the Mid Day Meal (MDM) rice issue in Mokokchung town.
The MTLT had on March 9 revealed that consignments of rice under the MDM Scheme in Mokokchung schools were found containing worms.
A press note from the MTLT informed that the Mokokchung DC is also the chairman of the District Mission Authority (DMA), and “as such the proper implementation of the different schemes under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and other centrally sponsored educational schemes should be his outmost concern.” However, it alleged that the DC has been taking the issue “very lightly since it was brought to light on March 9, 2016.”
The MTLT expressed disappointment that while it was hoping for positive action from the Education Department and the District Administration on the issue, the DC instead issued an order stating that searches by individuals or groups are illegal and “the persons aggrieved (private or Government officials) by such searches may seek legal remedy under sec 441 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Criminal Trespass) against the perpetrators of such illegal action”.
“Though the Deputy Commissioner has not named the MTLT directly, but issuing an order right after the ‘visitation’ to the schools by the MTLT, is evident for all to surmise that the order was directed against the MTLT,” it reasoned. The MTLT clarified that the “visitation” was undertaken after “precise information was received from school employees who informed about the uneatable rice and also from students who complained that they were not getting midday meal.” It claimed that the “visitation” was done on a “goodwill basis in the greater interest of the students and the educational institutions.”
The MTLT further questioned “whether there has been any complaint from any quarter regarding the “visitation” from the school authorities; whether there was any ‘criminal trespass’ and whether anyone has lodged an FIR against the MTLT in this regard.”
It stated that the DC’s order has “deeply hurt the sentiments of the public and also disregarded the positive role being played by the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem.” “Trying to invoke Sec 441 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Criminal Trespass) amounts to imply that the MTLT undertook a criminally unwarranted and forceful ‘search’, which is totally untrue. The public is well aware of the visitation, and the MTLT has every right to visit any school or public institution,” it said.
The MTLT alleged that the DC’s order is “nothing but just a ploy to hide his incompetence in tackling the issue at hand.” It demanded that if the Deputy Commissioner “cannot tackle the issue or stand up for the young children or the society at large, then he should apply for transfer or the state government should relieve him of his responsibilities as the Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner.”
Meanwhile, the MTLT also expressed concern about the “thousands of students studying in the different government, primary and middle schools who are deprived of their midday meal at their schools.” So, far there seems to be no clear-cut action on the part of the Education Department to ensure that the children avail their midday meal in their schools,” it stated.
MTLT cannot be harassed: ACAUT
DIMAPUR, MARCH 11 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland has also questioned the Mokokchung DC on the way he has dealt with the MDM rice issue and the earlier PDS Rice scam in the district.
A press note from the ACAUT Nagaland questioned the DC’s order and asked “whether there are two sets of law, one to protect the rich and the affluent and another to harass progressive minded organisations and individuals who are solely concerned for the good of society.”
“Had the DC been quick then to cite CrPC, 1973, as he’s doing now to intimidate MTLT, the Storekeeper, F&CS would have been promptly arrested and suspended by now,” the ACAUT stated, with reference to the earlier PDS Rice scam in the district.
It said that the DC “should have recommended the immediate suspension of the Store Keeper, F&CS department, instead of setting up an Inquiry Committee which the common folks understand as ‘allowing the guilty to go scot free.’” The DC, ACAUT alleged “managed to wash off his hands from the whole sordid affair as well as protect the real masterminds when it was within his power to take appropriate action.” It further alleged that “no sincere effort was made by the Mokokchung police to arrest the accused.”
“Quoting Section 441, IPC, 1896, whereby the DC suggested that aggrieved government officials could seek legal remedy against MTLT, is a classic case of Defence Mechanism where one takes an aggressive stand to instil fear and discourage dissent, in this case, their non-justifiable positions. On one hand the government’s political rhetoric is asking people to be vigilant against corruptions but in practice it is just the opposite,” the ACAUT stated.
It asserted that the MTLT “cannot be threatened and harassed for doing what the DC himself should be doing,” and expressed support to the MTLT.
