Fair Price Shop Dealers Association, Mokokchung (FPSDA) district has alleged irregular K. Oil distribution by one PI agency in Mokokchung and gave 10-day deadline to the agency to clear all dues. FPSDA Mokokchung cautioned that failure on the agency’s part to clear all the dues, it would take up the matter legally for mismanagement of K.Oil under public distribution system.
In a press release, Fair Price Shop Dealers Association president Limawati stated that the agency had been allotted 45KL/month of SK oil for the distribution in Mokokchung.
It said there was no complaint against the agency from the people till November 2014 when the agency was distributing S.K oil from RBC Agency (from RBCA petrol pump).
However, the association said the problem started from December 2014 onwards when the PI agency withdrew the agreement from RBCA Mokokchung and gave power of attorney to one Dinanath Shah, son of late B.Shah, temporary resident of Lhomithi colony, Dimapur.
FPSDA said due to irregular distribution, it had its first meeting with agency owner on February 16, 2015 wherein he replied that being a local entrepreneur a considerable time may be needed for its arrangements and assured smooth supply on monthly system from April 15, 2015.
However, the dues of February 2015 and March 2015 could not be cleared as promised.
Therefore, the association said it filed first complaint with DC Mokokchung on April 12, 2015.
FPSDA said again on May 30, 2015 another meeting was held at agency owner’s residence along with all the Kerosene dealers of Mokokchung.
At the meeting, agency owner proposed Dinanath for consulting the issue, but it was denied since the dealers were to receive the K.oil from PI agency (as per Govt order) and not from Dinanath.
Further, it said another meeting was called by DC Mokokchung along with ADC (HQ), additional director of civil supplies Mokokchung, All ward Union office bearers, Fair price shop Association office bearers, representative of PI Agency on June 12, 2015.
However, it said the situation did not improve and by July 6, 2015 there were 51 thousand litres due for distribution.
Subsequently, another complaint letter was forwarded to DC Mokokchung and secretary department of food & civil supplies, but neither action taken nor any improvement.
Further, on July 28, 2015, the association said an agreement was made between DC Mokokchung and agency owner to clear all dues by July 31 failing which there would be legal action as per rule.
And at a joint meeting with joint director food & civil supplies held on October 26, 2015, it said agency owner assured to be sincere and regular in the distribution.
FPSDA said despite of all these consideration and efforts from the government and fair price shop dealers there was no improvement.
In this regard, the association and agency owner made an agreement on December 7, 2015 declaring that if the supply was irregular the matter would be taken up legally for mismanagement of K.Oil under PDS. But till date, it said only one load i.e. 9000 litres has been received by the dealers, which was also for December 2015 allotment, amounting to a total due of 81,000 liters (eighty one thousand liters) for the month of December 2015 and January 2016.