Haflong, Nov. 21: The All Dimasa Students' Union has alleged misappropriation of public distribution system (PDS) goods by Rupom Dibragede, sub-inspector at food and civil supplies and consumer affairs, Haflong, Dima Hasao, Assam.

The union's general secretary, Uttam Langthasa, today said Dibragede was caught red-handed last week while distributing rice, meant for those who figure in the National Food Security Act (NFSA) list, to fair price shops without any official order.

The NFSA, 2013, was passed by Parliament with the objective to provide food and nutrition to 75 per cent of the rural population and upto 50 per cent of the urban population through subsidised foodgrain under the targeted public distribution system.

Under this system, each of the eligible persons is entitled to receive 5kg of foodgrain per month (Rs 3/2/1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains) at subsidised prices. Langthasa also alleged that Dibragede had stored a huge amount of goods illegally in a rented house at Zion village, 9km from here.

"It is not a single case of irregularities against Dibragede. On September 5, the Government Fair Price Shops Association of Maibang sub-division lodged a complaint against him to the director food and civil supplies and consumer affairs, Guwahati, Assam.

The director through a letter, dated September 6, instructed the principal secretary of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council to inquire into the matter and submit a report but surprisingly no report had been submitted till date," he said. Langthasa added that the PDS goods had been sold at Haflong market and outside the district for large sums of money.

He also alleged that this practice was not only confined to Haflong and Maibang but prevalent in the entire district. "We demand strong action against the official. Otherwise, we will be compelled to launch a vigorous agitation against the corrupt practices," Langthasa added.

Dibragede told The Telegraph, "I distributed the goods according to the official norms and have not done anything illegal."

Hrangvulmawi Pena, deputy director food and civil supplies and consumer affairs, Haflong, said, "We are looking into the matter. We will take action against Dibragede if any anomaly is found."

On March 21, 2015, Debolal Garlosa, also known as Daniel Dimasa, the then member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council and the present chief executive member, lodged an FIR against the council's executive member, S.T. James Hrankhol, and secretary of the PDS of the Gunjung Large-sized Adivasi Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Kedar Maibangsa, for alleged misappropriation of PDS goods.