PDS rice for Umden detected in Nongpoh godown
NONGPOH: In a crackdown against illegal siphoning of rice issued under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Ri Bhoi District, members of the National Khasi Union (NKU) and Nongpoh Police detected huge consignment of rice meant for distribution to PDS beneficiaries in the godown of a private wholesaler Unteshwar Singh, which was transferred from the godown of a registered Government wholesaler Vimolyne Syngkli of Umden Centre at Nongpoh late Monday night.
The NKU leaders contacted Nongpoh Police on receipt of information of the illegal transfer of PDS rice and subsequently conducted the raid at the godown of Singh opposite Nongpoh Civil Hospital leading to the detection.
Notably, there are 17 Government nominees/ agents (wholesalers) under the PDS in the district which are divided into nine centres – Umiam, Umroi, Umsning, Mawhati, Nongpoh, Umden, Byrnihat, Khanapara and Patharkhmah.
During his questioning by police, Singh confessed to having siphoned the rice and showed the power of attorney which was executed by both parties (Singh & Syngkli), which clearly indicates that Syngkli, the rice wholesaler of Umden centre, was incapable of handling the said dealership on her own.
Shocked on the detection of rice and the signing of power of attorney between Singh and Syngkli, the NKU leaders took up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner (Supply) Pooja Pandey and submitted a letter to her seeking immediate action against Syngkli for illegally siphoning off rice meant for the mid-day meal scheme.
In the letter submitted to the DC, the NKU sought clarification from the District Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department on the diversion of the PDS rice.
The letter stated that the Union cannot digest the fact that essential commodities meant for Umden centre which was to be distributed through the government approved wholesaler (Syngkli) had landed up at the godown of Singh at Nongpoh who is not an authorized wholesaler.
On the signing of power attorney between Singh and Syngkli, the NKU urged the department concerned to cease and terminate the dealership of Syngkli and re-allocate the same to a capable wholesaler who can run such wholesale dealership on her/ his own.
The Union stated that as per the RTI report obtained by it, all government approved rice wholesalers of the district were Khasis, and questioned how essential commodities had reached the godown of a non-tribal businessman.