Imphal, Sept 26 : A Public Hearing with consumers (card holders), representatives of FDS dealers association, NGOs (Women Self Help Group), transporters and etc which was organized by Central Vigilance Committee on Public Distribution System (PDS) today at Manipur State Guest House concluded somewhat on a pessimistic note.
The audience publicly charged the committee of intentionally holding the hearing in the evening so that the people did not have the time to come up with substantive questions regarding the PDS.
They alleged that the organisers would certainly be aware that people residing in the far flung areas would have difficulty travelling in the evening.
The concern however was put at rest with the committee agreeing to make amends by rescheduling the same hearing tomorrow morning at Hotel Imphal in the interest of people.
Earlier denying the allegation of deliberate manipulation of time, Committee Chairman Justice D.P. Wadhwa said that it was not intentional. He said the committee does not have any hidden agenda in its present campaign.
It may be recalled, the committee is headed by Justice D.P. Wadhwa, as chairman, Dayan Krishnan, Head of the Legal Team, Meenakshi Chauhan, Maomi Chandra and Shohit Choudhary, members.
The team is on a visit to the state to study targeted PDS in Manipur. The committee arrived today at Imphal by the afternoon flight and after arriving at the Imphal airport directly proceed to meet with chief secretary, principal secretary, department of FCS and other concerned officers and regional head of FCI at Manipur secretariat, Imphal.
Later they held a public hearing at Manipur State Guest House at Sanjenthong.
The Public hearing was attended by various representatives, presidents of each and every locality of the state and NGOs who come up with several question regarding the irregularities of PDS to the public in their localities in particular and to the entire state in general.
President of Luwang Consumer Club from Imphal East area maintained that the consumers in his locality do not get sufficient rice for a long time and on 19 percent of the commodity was distributed against the stipulated 35 percent each consumer is entitled.
He further noted the locality also does not get the exact amount of kerosene when it was distributed to the people, when 4 litres of Kerosene should be distribute they only get 2 litres.
He also revealed that the club receive around 30 to 40 complaints lodged by the consumers of the locality. He requested the committee to look into the matter and help the people especially those living Below the Poverty Line.
Another woman from Khongjom Sapam Mayai Leikai stressed that it is due to the negligence and weakness of the state government that the people of the state are facing various forms of problems with regard to the PDS.
Such problems have been endemic for a long time. In fact they are today a new tradition of governance.
She said it is the high time the committee did the needful to address these issues earnestly.
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