A reported appeal by MLA L. Rameshwor Meetei to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh for retaining Ningombam Jayanta Singh as District Supply Officer (DSO), Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD), Churachandpur, has drawn criticism from residents over allegations of irregularities in rice distribution to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries.
The controversy follows a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister by Churachandpur residents seeking the DSO’s suspension and a departmental enquiry. The officer was subsequently transferred to Jiribam district.
The memorandum alleged that 2,000 quintals of Open Market Sale Scheme–Domestic (OMSS-D) rice reportedly allocated monthly for IDPs in Churachandpur had failed to reach the intended beneficiaries despite regular processing of allocations.
Citing information obtained through an RTI application filed on February 24, 2026, the complainant also alleged that NFSA rice was not distributed in March and April 2026, a claim reportedly corroborated through field visits and interactions with beneficiaries.
The memorandum further pointed out that Churachandpur had recorded the lowest e-KYC coverage among NFSA beneficiaries as of September 2, 2026. It also alleged that the DSO had been unable to physically attend the district office for over three years due to the prevailing law and order situation, affecting its functioning.
Seeking the officer’s suspension pending enquiry, the residents had demanded a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities and the whereabouts of rice allocated for IDPs and NFSA beneficiaries.
Against this backdrop, the MLA’s reported intervention seeking the officer’s retention has raised questions among residents, particularly over the propriety of backing an officer facing serious allegations concerning the distribution of essential foodgrains before the allegations have been investigated.
