IMPHAL, July 10 - Manipur Government has urged the Government of India to convert its quota of wheat into rice which is the staple food of the people of the State.
Government of India has allocated 11,796.56 metric tonnes of rice for implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) which was launched here by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on April 25 this year. Of this quantity, 2200.41 MT is meant for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) household category while 9,596 MT is set aside for priority households (PHH).
Disclosing this to the media at a press conference here, Director of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution M Yaiskul said only 74.64 per cent (i.e., 21,31,652) of the State�s population comes under the purview of the NFSA though 87 per cent of the population is eligible to be covered under the Act.
To ensure accountability, and as a step to check leakages in public distribution system, Monitoring/Vigilance committees have been set up at State, district, block and FPS levels, he said. Responding to questions by media persons, he said households having four wheelers, enjoying pension and paying income tax are not entitled to get PHH and AAY cards.
The Director informed that the Manipur Disputes Redressal Commission has been set up will also function as the State Food Commission following approval by the State Cabinet. Further, a helpline has been set up which the consumers can contact at 0385-2455496 and toll free 1800-345-3821. Under NFSA, which came into force on July 5, 2013, each eligible person will get five kg of rice at Rs 3 per kg. The scheme will cover a total of 21,31,652 beneficiaries in the State.
