SHILLONG: Impressing upon the House that the government will not tolerate malpractices in PDS, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Clement Marak on Thursday said instructions have been issued to respective deputy commissioners and divisional officers to take strict action against those found guilty of violating the Control Orders and Essential Commodities Act.
Marak was replying to a pending motion moved by Paul Lyngdoh (UDP) on the anomalies in PDS in the State.
“As a result of the directive, appropriate action was taken by district authorities against black marketeers of SK Oil in Dadenggre subdivision,” Marak said.
Earlier, participating in the motion, James PK Sangma (NPP) said there was a need to activate the grievance redress cell for effective implementation of PDS.
He also said that running fair price shops should become economically viable to the dealer who should be allowed to sell non-PDS items too.
Sangma also brought to the notice of the government that in Mahendraganj in South West Garo Hills, people were being deprived of PDS items since the last three months.
The minister assured that all possible steps will be taken for effective implementation of PDS in the State.
Marak informed that the functioning of PDS was monitored by the Central Vigilance Commission and other independent agencies engaged by the Planning Commission and the Centre.
State to have additional storage capacity for food grains
Marak also informed the House that the state government in collaboration with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) was in the process of creating additional storage capacity in Meghalaya.
“An additional storage facility is under construction at Mawphlang and similar initiatives were being undertaken at Baghmara and in Ri Bhoi,” he informed.
At present, the FCI can store 22250 MT of food grains, but the required capacity is 52257 MT.
