Village councils seal the premises
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 9
Two privately owned godowns in Dimapur have been accused of allegedly diverting rice meant for Public Distribution System (PDS) into the open market.
This came to attention when the two godowns – M/S RZ Lotha at Kevijau Colony and M/S Lotha Trading Agency at Lhomithi Colony – were found repacking the FCI rice, which comes packed in jute gunny bags, into white synthetic bags.
According to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) Dimapur, rice meant for PDS is never supplied in white synthetic bags but in jute gunny bags only.
The godown at Kevijau Colony had about 18500 gunny bags of FCI rice and about 3500 bags of FCI rice repacked in white synthetic bags while the godown at Lhomithi Colony had about 3500 gunny bags of FCI rice and about 500 bags of FCI rice in white synthetic bags. A loaded truck with 340 bags of white synthetic bags was also found from inside the premises of the godown at Kevijau colony.
Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) was alerted and it promptly visited the premises of the two godowns along with the Concerned Citizens of Nagaland (CCN), youth and village councils from the surrounding villages.
The ACAUT later filed an FIR at the Sub-Urban Police Station against the owners of the two godowns alleging that they were indulging in “illegal activity”. The ACAUT further held the Food & Civil Supplies Department responsible for allowing both the firms to operate godowns in private establishments other than the designated FCI godowns.
The FCI rice in PDS outlets (or Fair Price Shop) is sold for Rs 3/kg or Rs 150 per bag for ration card holders and according to sources, the 50-kilo bag, once repacked and in the open market, can cost upwards of Rs. 1200.
Meanwhile, the Chairmen of the 10 village councils: Kevijau Colony, Thahekhu Village, Signal Angami, Lhomithi Colony, Nagagaon, Sematilla, Metha Colony, Sangtamtilla, Rio Colony and Y. Zhimo Colony accused the two godowns with “siphoning PDS rice” and sealed both the godowns on Friday evening.
“Hence, in the interest of public of Nagaland, we the colony chairmen have jointly sealed the premises till a logical conclusion is arrived,” the Chairmen of the 10 village councils stated in a press release.
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