Dimapur, Dec. 11: Following the news of the alleged PDS rice scam that appeared in local dailies, the department of Food & Civil Supplies has issued a statement, saying in order to dispel any doubts, the factual position is brought out in the interest of the public.
The statement issued by Secretary to the Government of Nagaland Ramongo Lotha on Sunday said the allegation of diversion of foodgrains has to be based on some finding of “prima facie illegality” but people cannot be allowed to take law into their own hands.
The statement said the foodgrains in the godown of the State stockist raided by a group of people on December 9 and subsequently sealed by the police were meant for despatch to the districts/FPS while informing that only Mokokchung, Mon and Tuensang have FCI food storage depots (FSDs) and the other districts are fed through FSD Dimapur.
The department also clarified that the allegations of diversion of foodgrains have not been brought to the notice of the government. If such allegations are true, there is no reason why the government will not take action against such stockists, it asserted.
On the allegation of packaging of foodgrains in plastic bags that were found in the sealed godown, the department clarified that the stockist had sought permission from it for repackaging into plastic bags since gunny bags in which the rice is received from the FCI are torn while loading/unloading during transit, resulting in spillage/wastage of foodgrains. It also stated that the issue of wastage was brought to the notice of the Government of India during the meeting of Secretaries of North Eastern states in Guwahati on October 3-4, 2016 following which the Union Food Secretary clarified that there were no provisions for making good the losses.
Therefore, in order to avoid such wastage and to ensure that the PHHs get their allotted entitlement, permission was granted for repackaging of the rice into plastic bags, the department clarified. It also recalled that a number of complaints had been received from consumers, some of which had appeared in the local media, that the full entitlements were not issued.
The department has explained that the State Government has been appointing State stockists for procurement of foodgrains from the FCI in view of timely availability of funds as well as limitations of godown space. In this context, the department said it is expected to lift the foodgrains within the stipulated time given by the FCI, failing which the allocation lapses. It is for this reason that the stockists are appointed for implementation of NFSA, it added.
“Hence, the State Stockists have been actually assisting the department in keeping custody of the foodgrains which is regularly inspected by the departmental officials,” the statement said.
Asserting that it is committed to ensuring transparency, the department said in case of any complaints, it is expected that the complainants bring it to its notice instead of taking law into their own hands and creating confusion and suspicion in the minds of the public.
