Saturday, April 12, 2008

CDSU issues open letter to CM

By S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, Apr 11: Saying they were compelled, following the objection raise by nominees of four MLAs on their earlier call for repealing the FCS commissioner order giving MLAs and their nominees a free hand in dealing with PDS supplies, CDSU has issued an open letter address to the CM with seven critical posers.

“There is no dispute over the representative role of our MLAs or Ministers whom we elect to represent us in the Assembly; speak for and on our behalf, address our grievances an, d help in time of distress,” says the letter that also spoke well of the efforts of their nominees, yet it adds, “other than the CDSU, the public court is there to judge whether their efforts is satisfying or not.”

Being caught on the quagmire of Mautaam famine, the pressing need of the people today is nothing, but availability of rice/foodgrain for survival is another contention it made, and for this neither the government nor the civil societies have done enough to counter the calamity, the letter went on lamenting. “Other than raising famine issue at the assembly none of our representative is found to have comeforth with tangible material support to redress our grievances,” noted the letter further, and said under such circumstances the basic issue of ‘availability of rice’ remains the same.

On the points raise by the MLA nominees several days back, the union said they fully agreed that is not Mautaam related scheme but, disagreed that NREGS money – which seems to be the only option available with the government at present, should not be used for purchasing rice. As it has effectively bestowed to the interior populace, the PDS supply with a cheaper rate.

Against all these backdrop, the union calls on the Chief Minister to answer seven queries of their including, why only 40% of the population is BPL and AAY status while the entire population is practically living under AAY conditions; whether there is any MLA quota in PDS items and under what provision and circumstances; where is the 8000 qntls of additional monthly allocation of rice promise on the floor of the assembly and the 5000 MT FCI godown promise prior to the assembly election; why public has to pay transportation cost of PDS items; what steps were taken to combat Mautaam famine in Churachandpur; and, who is responsible for lifting and distribution of all PDS items, the MLAs and their nominees or the FCS department.

And as to why, they were expecting a reply and prompt follow up action, the union said, the famine affected public who needs “Rice, Rice and sufficient stock of rice” to prevent starvation death, deserves to know it.

The Sangai Express

No comments:

Post a Comment