Public Distribution Scheme Scam: Mokokchung demands investigation into graft

EMN Dimapur, February 5 The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) has expressed alarm at the recent discovery of alleged pilfering and black-marketing of ‘PDS rice’ by the Fair Price Shop of Mokokchung town. The youth organization issued a press release on Friday, February 5, demanding investigation and bringing before the law those involved. “The MTLT has seriously noted the Mokokchung police and district administration for raiding one FPS at Arkong ward and another godown at Tongdentsuyong ward, where suspected pilfered rice were found is huge quantity,” the organization stated. The police and administration, in the presence of the civil society and public, duly sealed two godowns namely one Fair Price Shop owned by one Moachiba at Arkong ward and the other godown by one Supong, a Store Keeper under the F&SC department, at Tongdentsuyong ward. “The MTLT also condemns ‘Shree Bajrang Bahadur’ General Shop at Arkong Ward, who is said to be the main supplier of empty sacks of high quality rice (Super Fine brand, Swastic brand, etc.) to the suspected rice black-marketers,” the organization stated. The MTLT has also noted that the inquiry committee headed by the ADC of Mokokchung, formed by the Mokokchung administration to probe the scam. “However, the MTLT would like to question whether there is any civil society member; in this regard, the MTLT strongly feels that one or two responsible civil society members should be included in the inquiry committee since it concerns the general public and the main stakeholders are the public themselves,” the organization asserted in its press release. Besides, the MTLT also questioned “why the district administration is still keeping the culprits’ shops open. The shops must have been sealed by now keeping in view the volatility of the scam.” The MTLT said that the MTLT officials, besides ward council members, AKM, DBs and public leaders, were also witness to the raids conducted by the district administration and the police on Sunday, January 31. “It must be noted that the ‘PDS rice’ is meant for the needy people in the society. As such, pilfering of the PDS rice should be considered as the lowliest of crimes as it amounts to depriving the needy of their rice generously given by the government,” the group said. “The MTLT is seriously concerned that this issue might be just the tip of the iceberg. As such, the MTLT strongly appeals the concerned authority to thoroughly investigate the issue. Besides, the MTLT is resolute to take appropriate steps to curb unwarranted menaces with regard to this issue,” it added. Congress on scam The recent arrest of the owner of Arkong Ward Fair Price Shop in Mokokchung as appeared in the daily Ao Milen on February 3 for selling PDS items in the open market, “has brought to light the level of corruption which has riddled the department of Food and Civil Supplies, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee has said. The Congress issued a press release on Friday denouncing the alleged corruption. “It is also learnt that one storekeeper was arrested in this connection. This level of corruption cannot happen unless the district in charge and dept. staffs are involved too. It is common knowledge that this is happening in every district,” the Congress alleged. “F&CS Dept. being under the CM, he should initiate action against the culprits and a top level inquiry commission should be set up immediately to unearth the scam in the dept. If the issue is not addressed immediately and action taken made known to the public, the Congress party will go to any extent to expose and deliver justice,” the press release added.