The last few days Imphal Times received several calls from various people enquiring about the changes in the distribution of PDS items particularly Rice to marginalized people during the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister of CAF and PD during a press conference had announced that there will be no free distribution of rice under PMGKY . However, what class of citizens are entitled to get how much share of rice under which scheme has not been properly mentioned by the Minister K. Shyam while briefing the reporters. In addition to this, no official circulation in connection with the distribution of essential items during COVID crisis has been made available from the concerned government department. People are not informed properly on how much amount of rice are they suppose to get at which price.
Right at the moment, people with AAY cards are getting only 5 kg of rice at various places for July. When enquired by the beneficiaries those agents distributing told them to enquire at the Deputy Commissioner office, which is next to impossible for the marginalized people who live on hand to mouth.
It may be mentioned that a division bench of the Manipur High Court on July 16 has directed the state government to furnish all information relating to all kind of action taken up for combating
COVID-19 crisis including the one relating to spending public money, infrastructure, manpower, facilities etc. in the quarantine centers and in particular, the institutional quarantine centers. These include the dissemination of detailed information on what the people should get during the pandemic.
Only a few days back the union government had stated that people are benefitting from PMGKY ( Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojana ), and stated that the scheme will continue till November this year. However, on contrary to the Union government commitment, CAF and PD Minister said that the government will stop the distribution of rice under PMGKY.
In an awareness campaign conducted by the Human Rights Alert, Babloo Loitongbam stated that all people have the right to food and under this people cannot be denied of their food share allotted by the government. According to him AAY, BPL, and NFSA cardholders are entitled to get 35 KG of rice per month. 35 kg of Rice under the Right to Food guaranteed by the constitution of India is being mocked by some so call agents distributing the PDS items under the CAF and PD Minister by distributing only 5 kg of Rice to cardholder.
Looting peoples’ share and that too during crisis time is no less than the most heinous crime.