All Nagaland Fair Price Shop Association urges release of pending bills

DIMAPUR — The State Working Committee Meeting of the All Nagaland Fair Price Shop Association (ANFPSA) was held at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur, on November 22, during which the house resolved to urge the concerned department for the immediate release of pending bills and to ensure systemic improvements for the smooth functioning and effective implementation of the Public Distribution System (PDS) operations.

According to a press release, a total of 15 district FPS unions affiliated with ANFPSA attended the meeting and presented their respective issues and concerns.

The unions lamented that FPS dealers do not receive regular transportation and handling commissions and are undergoing hardships in running their shops voluntarily. They strongly objected to the alleged “unexplained high percentage deductions made at different levels” during payments. The members demanded that the government release all pending bills without further delay.

Also read: NFHRCC flags slow progress of Foothills Road projects

The members called for uniform guidelines to be maintained by the department for both rural and urban sectors regarding the use of offline and online systems. They stated that the practice of issuing rice in some districts once every two or three months reflects irregularities in the department, especially when the Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) system is made mandatory for FPS operations and billing is determined based on EPoS records.

The house further maintained that a minimum of 25 days should be provided for beneficiaries to collect their rations to facilitate proper identification through the EPoS machine. It was also suggested that, for a fair deal, the department should first install weighbridges in all districts, as the absence of such infrastructure compels FPS dealers to bear unnecessary burdens due to transit leakage.

The members urged that Tide-Over or General Household (GHH) cards be issued through FPS outlets against those Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) or Priority Household (PHH) ineligible beneficiaries who have surrendered their cards. They also called upon the directorate to ensure that each PDC delivers accurate net-weight rice, including the weight of the rice sacks or bags, to FPS dealers to ensure proper scaling for beneficiaries.

Reports of deductions of 10 kilograms per AAY beneficiary in Mokokchung district were brought to attention.

The house noted that several beneficiaries whose names appear on ration cards are still not receiving rice allocations from the department. The irregular issue of dal and sugar was also highlighted as a concern, urging the department to ensure the regular supply of these items. The members further opined that the government should make the location and prescribed rates of OMSS shops or points known to beneficiaries to enable convenient procurement.

The house suggested that if the department continues to insist on carried-over or carried-balance (CB) systems without resolving the genuine problems faced by FPS dealers, the dealers shall neither download truck chits nor distribute rice in the coming months.

The house, therefore, endorsed the ANFPSA office to take the necessary steps with the department at the earliest.

Earlier, V Phushika Aomi, president, delivered the presidential address, highlighting the initiatives undertaken by ANFPSA since assuming office, including extensive district tours and engagements with authorities concerning the grievances faced by FPS dealers across the state.

The house approved the elevation of Meripeni Lotha, assistant general secretary, to take full charge as general secretary following the resignation of the previous office bearer. The house also endorsed the proposal to appoint two advisors and induct one assistant general secretary and one media secretary to the ANFPSA office bearers against the existing vacancies.

Shikuto Yeptho, finance secretary, presented the audit matters, after which the audit committee members were approved by the house.