TURA: No official or supplier has reportedly been taken to task over the alleged supply of PDS rice during the flood relief supply for victims in Phulbari constituency of West Garo Hills, last month.
Villagers from East Bholarbita complained about inferior rice from the government’s public distribution system (PDS) being provided to the flood victims during gratuitous relief while victims in other flood affected areas of Rajabala, Selsella, New Bhaitbari were handed out grade A rice along with dal, salt and cooking oil.
The civil sub-divisional officer of Dadenggre, Ram Kumar, had been directed by the government to probe the allegations and a notice was issued directing anyone with grievances to depose before the officer within a six day period which ended on September 11.
Interestingly, the SDO had put out the notice only in the SDO office at Dadenggre with a copy to the police station in Phulbari town, leaving aside the market committees and, more importantly, the affected Bholarbita East village.
Villagers allege that no fact finding team was deputed to the affected area to ascertain the facts and speak to the victims, while others were reluctant to travel all the way from Phulbari to Dadenggre to meet with the enquiry officer.
Details obtained by The Shillong Times reveal that all gratuitous relief, including rice, oil, salt and dal, for flood affected areas were suppose to have been brought over from the town of Dhubri in Assam.
However, some unscrupulous suppliers allegedly took advantage of the flood situation and made use of the PDS stock kept at the MECOFED godown in Phulbari town.
While the grade A rice cost Rs 24/kg, the cost of PDS is only Rs 3 per kg.
Questions have been raised as to how PDS rice, which is always packed in gunny bags, could be taken out from a government controlled godown unless permission was granted from a higher official.
The sitting MDC from Shyamnagar constituency of GHADC which is part of Phulbari, S G Esmatur Mominin, accused the government of turning a blind eye to the problems of the people in the plain belt region.
“Why should some get poor quality rice while others are provided good quality packaged rice? There should have been equal distribution. So many complaints have been made to the government about various issues but no action is taken,” lamented MDC Mominin.
The Anti-Corruption League organisation from the region also met the sub-divisional officer over the allegations of sub-standard rice being supplied to the flood victims.
“We have apprised the SDO about the complaints received from the people,” said Mustafa Kabir of the league.
