Saturday, January 24, 2009

PDS rice pilfered for sale in Churachandpur market

Lamka, Jan 23: At a time when people in the interior villages of the district can barely manage a square meal a day, reports of huge pilferage of PDS rice have surfaced yet again with an NGO releasing photos of APL rice being sold off to a businessman and calling for a concerted effort to counter the menace.

“Zomi Economic Planning and Development Agency (ZEPADA) is exasperated to learn that pilferages of PDS items remain unchecked inspite of the hue and cry over food-grain shortages in Churachandpur District,” said a statement issued by the agency today.

Besides the statement, a photo of APL rice being unloaded at New Bazar on January 13 was attached was also released. “On conducting further investigation we have established the fact that it was sold by one APL Agent of a particular Constituency in Churachandpur District,” it added.

The agency identified the shop where the rice was unloaded as ‘Vanda’ at New Bazar, Churachandpur.

ZEPADA had earlier issued warnings on the non-distribution of APL rice in the district and accused the Government of unscrupulously issuing utilisation certificates.

Now with the expose’ of the pilferage, “We wonder why the Vigilant Committee on PDS chose to remain silent under such circumstances,” it questioned.

Maintaining that the hungry public deserve a just and equitable share of the rice allotted to them, ZEPADA urged all concerned, to refrain from creating unwanted situations which can add to the sufferings of the poor and hungry people who have to struggle to meet their daily needs for survival.

This is the second instance that pilferage of PDS rice has cropped-up in the district. An official in the district supply office has already been booked under NSA in the earlier instance.

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Army helps fire ravaged villagers


IMPHAL, Jan 23 : Troops of 15 Madras extended medical help and provided ration to the victims of the fire that broke out in the night of January 20 at around 2 am at Songpekmun village of Churachandpur district. The troops distributed rice, milk, dal, sugar and tea to the affected villagers.

According to a press release of PIB Defence Wing, the only civil Government representative present in the village after the tragedy was a doctor from Thanlon PHC who treated some of the injured villagers.

No Government official even cared to visit the village the whole day, the release added.
The release said that a resident noticed the fire in one of the houses and immediately raised an alarm. In no time the fire spread to the adjoining houses as the houses were made of dry bamboo, the release added. It further said that people however had enough time to save themselves and their children before the fire devoured their homes. The raging inferno reduced nine houses into ashes.

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JAC demands

IMPHAL, Jan 23: Demanding appropriate action against the perpetrators of crimes against Christians, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against Christian persecution at Chingmeirong Rongmei (Kabui) Village has asserted that the timing of the attack and the way it had been carried out on December 14 last year revealed a dangerous attempt by so-me forces to eliminate Chris- tians from Chingmeirong and to annihilate Christianity. Pointing out that the Constitution of India secures to all its citizens ‘justice, liberty of thought, expression, beliefs, faith and worship and equalities of status and opportunity, the JAC co-convenor G Gaithailung in a statement has also expressed dismayed over the indifference attitude of the policy makers and leaders of the State to the issue.

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Hill districts' council offices shut down

Imphal, Jan 23: The closure of all the six Auto- nomous District Councils (ADCs) carried out by the All Manipur Newly Appointed Autonomous Dist- rict Council Teachers’ Association, 2006 adversely affected the officials functioning of the six ADCs on Friday.

According to L. Seimang, secretary of the association, no official works were done in any of the six ADCs as they were all paralysed due to the closure by the association. The secretary also informed that the teachers’ association will continue with their decision of closure of the ADCs on Saturday too. It may be reminded that the teachers’ association has called for a two day closure of all the six ADCs due to the alleged failure of the State Govern-ment in paying their salaries besides allowances and arrears for the last 19 (nineteen) months. In this regard, the teachers association had also called for a complete Chakka bandh on January 27.


Source: THE SANGAI EXPRESS

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