Imphal, July 7: The collapse of the public distribution system (PDS) in the state rocked the Manipur Assembly on the opening day of the budget session today with both ruling and Opposition members demanding that the items be made available to the people at the earliest.
Consumer affairs, food and public distribution (earlier food and civil supplies) minister Yumkham Erabot Singh, however, failed to say when the distribution of the PDS items would be normalised.
“As soon as there is enough stock, distribution of rice, sugar and kerosene would resume,” the minister said in reply to a barrage of questions from the members cutting across party lines.
Opposition Manipur Peoples Party member Ng. Bijoy Singh had raised the issue during question hour today.
“Because of lack of a clear policy of keeping buffer stock, the people of the state are suffering. A policy should be adopted to rectify this situation,” he had said.
Responding to the accusation, Erabot Singh said Manipur has about a week’s petrol, diesel, kerosene and ricein in stock but these were reserved for disasters and natural calamities. The minister admitted that the PDS items could not be released through the fair price shops for the past three months because of irregular supply, for which he blamed the recent blockade and threats from militants to transporters.
“The Food Corporation of India has not been able to maintain regular supply because of a monetary demand of Rs 50 lakh from the corporation by a militant group. As a result, the transporters are unwilling to transport the items,” he said.
The minister’s reply failed to satisfy the members.
“The situation is very serious. The government should take immediate steps to normalise the distribution system,” Congress member and chairman of Planning and Development Authority Loken Singh said.
Responding to a demand from the members that mobile shops be sent to the other districts, Erabot Singh said if proper security was provided he could send mobile shops to sell the PDS items at the controlled rate.
