IT News
Imphal, July 29:
Hundreds of protesters from the Khestrigao constituency gathered at the Imphal East Deputy Commissioner’s office complex today, demanding the distribution of pending Public Distribution System (PDS) rice. The protest began around 11 AM in front of the DC office gate and escalated by 1:40 PM when protesters attempted to storm the gate of the office at Porompat.
The protesters, frustrated by the delay in rice distribution, called for immediate action. The District Commissioner, Khumanthem Diana, met with the protesters to address their concerns. The meeting was attended by DSO H Bhupendra Singh. The protesters demanded that necessary actions be taken before the assembly session beginning on July 31.
Khestrigao MLA Noorul Hassan, who was also at the protest site, highlighted issues related to the selection of new fair price shops and discrepancies in the beneficiary list under the PDS scheme. He said that individuals entitled to rice were being informed they were no longer on the beneficiaries list.
He mentioned that a written assurance had been given by DSO Bhupendra Singh that these issues would be resolved by September 7.
MLA Noorul Hassan stated, “If the CAF & PD Minister cannot take responsibility, he must resign. It is his responsibility to solve the matter.”
He also pointed out that only two months’ worth of rice had been distributed so far, despite an eight-month backlog. He criticized the quantity of rice distributed, noting reports of only 24 kg being given out instead of the expected 35 kg for some beneficiaries, and in some cases, recipients who were supposed to receive 5 kg were only given 4 kg.