MLAs want free essential items under PMGKAY

SHILLONG: The MLAs of different constituencies jointly urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to help the underprivileged households that do not have access to ration cards.
The legislators are- Ampareen Lyngdoh, HM Shangpliang, George B Lyngdoh, Azad Zaman, Miani D Shira, KS Marbaniang.
In a statement issued on Friday, the MLAs said, “We have been informed that the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) relief would be distributed to the ration card holders (AAY, PHH) as per the norms of the NFSA.”
However, there are many unprivileged households that do not have access to ration cards and will not be eligible for receiving the essential items under the PMGKAY, the MLAs said in the statement.
Furthermore, due to the lockdown, these households have lost their livelihoods and do not have any immediate access to income.
“We, urge the chief minister to make necessary provisions for the underprivileged households that do not have ration cards so that they can access the essential items under PMGKAY. We request your immediate response so that the respective deputy commissioners can give necessary instructions to the BDOs and fair price shops,” the statement said.