Friday, April 11, 2008

Hmar body claims famine related death of 12 minor children

Hmar body claims famine related death of 12 minor children
By : A Staff Reporter 4/11/2008 2:19:40 AM

IMPHAL, Apr 10: As many as 12 minor children across four villages in Tipaimukh sub-division of Churachandpur district have died of different reasons directly or indirectly related with scarcity of foodgrains and malnutrition, said the Hmar Students’ Association, Hmarram (Tipaimukh) joint headquarters in a statement today.

The students body said that the reports of deaths were confirmed from reliable sources while terming the contrasting reports on the deaths as due to malnutrition, epidemics, diseases, etc. in Tipaimukh as “very unfortunate.”

Among the dead six children namely Vasty, daughter of Larawn, Rebecca (seven months), daughter of Lalremsiem, Rochanhlu (10 months), son of Neia, Baby (five months), daughter of Lalremkung, Lawmnachullo (eight months), daughter of Sanga and Lalpiengthang (seven months), son of Lalremruot were from Lungthulien village.

Three children, Lalzarlawn (seven months), son of L Biekthuom, Ramnghakmawi (seven months) and Esther L (eight months), sons of L Ringvel were from Leisen village.

Baby (three months), daughter of Ropuilien and Joseph L (eight months), son of Lalramhuol were from Parbung and Patpuihmun village respectively, the statement said.

Despite contrasting reports, no one could deny the deaths were directly or indirectly related with scarcity of foodgrains and malnutrition.

The body also urged the authorities to send medical teams along with experts and equipments and additional quota of rice to Tipaimukh before things worsen.

Reacting on the FCS department’s indecision the students said that the department was wondering how rice and other items under PDS should reach the people of Tipaimukh sub-division and its adjoining areas, whether through the MLA nominees or through the deputy commissioner, while the people were under immense hardships due to the shortage of foodgrains.

“No more blame game and lip service,” said the statement stating that what they demand is additional quota of rice not who will take responsibility to reach the items to the people.

The stand of CDSU is not without reason, the students body said adding that at the same time the more important thing for the concerned department was to decide whom to entrust for the transportation and stocking of at least three months requirements before June when the monsoon season arrives.

The people of Tipaimukh have been waiting for arrival of the relief for the last six months but till date no more than the existing quota of rice and a few quintals through NREGS had reached the people.

No additional rice had been allocated even though a famine like situation is prevailing in the region for the last few months, it said stating that neither the chief minister nor the chief secretary or deputy commissioner have initiated any measures to increase the quota of rice except on paper.

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PDS items in dire need in famine hit Ccpur
By : M Kaimuanthang/IFP 4/11/2008 2:10:37 AM


Lamka, Apr 10: As it has become all the more clear that the Mautam famine will hit most interior areas of Churachandpur district the need for PDS items particilarly rice has intensified.

While no representatives of the public from the district found doing anything except some to support and empower the poor economically, the support and assistance given by near and dear ones as well as other people from within and outside the states are found to be highly inadequate for facing the calamities.

So far , according to a source, the AID ZOMI JAPAN, Mautam organisations including the churches have donated some amount for the purpose in spite of the fact that 8000 quintals of rice of additional foodgrains promised by the government remains unfulfilled.

The PDS rice which is thought to be the best for facing the famine has been lifted by the MLA nominees with the claims that it was distributed to the needy poor public. However, they were found lifting only BPL/AAY rice while keeping the APL rice untouched for reasons best known to them, sources added.

Here, the unenviable tough time encountered by the nominees has been that while only 40 percent of the population is put into BPL/AAY status a whopping 100 percent lived under AAY conditions in this part of the land where general economy of the people is very low.

In spite of this the conversion of NREGS to PDS has helped the people to buy rice at somewhat economical prices. For instance, at Sinzawl (in Thanlon) and Parbung (Tipaimukh) the public can purchase rice at Rs. 9 or Rs. 8.50 per kg in case of BPL and AAY respectively.

This has been made possible only recently when the government made a stop gap arrangement by an order No. 1/5/2007-Rd(MC) dated 13th March 2008 giving permission to utilise all the nregs money for procurement of foodgrains supply to the famine affected areas.

However, NREGS is not for permanent solution of the people’s food problems though it gives some relief to the famine affected people.

Under such circumstances the CDSU recently asked some questions to the FCS minister - Why only 40 percent of the people are put under BPL and AAY? How and why can there be ministers quota on PDS items? Where is the 5000 MT capacity FCS godown in Churachandpur? Why should the public pay the transportation cost of PDS items? and What steps has the government taken so far to combat Mautam famine?

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