By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Lack of supply of PDS sugar in Shillong has forced the people to buy the essential commodity from regular shops at a higher price even as the district administration termed the non availability of stock in the FCI go down as the reason for the scarcity.
The East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner (Supply) Sanjay Goyal on Thursday informed that the district administration could not lift the sugar from FCI since two months resulting in the lapse of quota. The monthly allotment of PDS sugar from FCI is 4,636 quintals.
The Deputy Commissioner urged the State Government to move the Centre to revalidate the quota so that the lapsed quantity can be lifted. Goyal also requested the government to direct the FCI to make the stock available in Shillong.
A magisterial enquiry has also been ordered to look into reports of non supply of the PDS commodities in other parts of the district and magistrate N Hajong has been entrusted with the task, report for which would have to be submitted in a week’s time. Meanwhile, commenting on the transfer of LPG connections from Longkmie Gas Agency to New Gas Agency (Riwar Mihngi Indane Gas Agency), the Deputy Commissioner said the re-allocation was done by the IOC based on the current backlog in the State in view of inability of the existing agencies to cater to more than a certain number of customers. “Shillong is the only big city in north east to have a backlog and this step is in view to clear the back log as well for smooth supply,” Goyal added.
Goyal clarified that the office of the Deputy Commissioner does not interfere in the market operations of the IOC and its only interest is to see that the consumers get their refill on time.
