Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged PDS scam, the department of Food and Civil Supplies (F&CS) has clarified its stand on the matter, saying that it has appointed nine “transportation-cum-handling agents” for Priority House Holds (PHH) food grains under NFSA from November 2016 to March 2017.
In a clarification issued through DIPR, F&CS said that the agents were responsible for procurement of food grains from the FCI, storage and transportation to all the centres. They agents are – M/s A. Pongshi Phom; Sky Enterprise; M/s Bendang Imchen; M/s Jemti Ao; Z. Lotha; M/s Dennis Zeliang; M/s Chenithung Jami; M/s NM Ovung and M/s Vitoi Sumi.
In this regard, F&CS said, instead of creating “anarchic atmosphere by stirring public discontentment with allegations of corruptions targeting only one transportation-cum-handling agent of PDS foodgrain”, the organizations should know that that there are nine transportation-cum-handling agents.
It said that the agents after procuring the food grains, were supposed to keep it in their godwons for “safe custody”, which would be inspected by the departmental officials from time to time.
The food grains were then transported to all the centres for further distribution to PHH beneficiaries on the direction of the department, the release stated. The department has also been conducting checking from time to time to ensure that the targeted beneficiaries were not deprived of their entitlement. F&CS also appreciated the concern of the ACAUT, DUCCF, CNN, CNTC etc. on the alleged PDS scam, but reminded them (organizations) that there were procedures to seek justice and not to take law into their own hands. Further, F&CS said that state has two AAY foodgrains stockiest M/s R.Z.Lotha and M/s Jemti Ao, who procure and transport AAY foodgrains on behalf of the State.
Mokokchung, Mon and Tuensang have FCI foodgrains depots from where AAY foograins were procured and distributed to the beneficiaries. Whereas, for the eight districts- Zunheboto, Kohima, Dimapur, Phek, Wokha, Peren, Longleng and Kiphire- the supplied food grains procured from FCI depot at Dimapur, were kept in various godowns under the custody of the State stockiest before being transported.
In this regard, the department clarified that the “unfortunate incident” on December 9 took place when the transportation of AAY foodgrains was in progress.
“Therefore, it is necessary to resume transportation of AAY foodgrains in the godown of M/s R.Z.Lotha immediately to the districts failing which the beneficiaries will be deprived of their entitlement during the festive season”, the release said.
In the light of the above, the general public have been asked to understand the facts of the distribution system from all the districts and file necessary complaints if any to the authorities for appropriate action.