Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Friday claimed that enquiry over alleged scam in public distribution system (PDS) for rice in Mokokchung was moving in “an inordinate slow pace” and the department seemed to be more active in hushing up the case than to unearth the scandal.
In a press release, NPCC media cell pointed out that Nagaland governor in response to its memorandum directed the food and civil supply (F&CS) department to bring out the truth within three days. However, NPCC said till now the department was “conspicuously silent”.
Further, it said deputy commissioner (DC) Mokokchung on January 28, 2016 had even expressed apprehension of law and order problems to the department over the issue. NPCC also said DC on February 6, 2016 had written to F&CS secretary stating the constitution of an enquiry committee and filing of FIR and the status of investigation. However, NPCC said the department was still maintaining silence and chose to ignore the directive of head of the state, head of the district administration and demand of entire civil society organisations.
Congress party demanded that F&CS department spell out where did they stand?
Stating that the department cannot and should not hide behind the adage ‘silence is golden’, NPCC said it reflected the total apathy and insensitivity of not only the F&CS department but the entire governmental machinery, which seemed to be in league with the department to hush up the scandal.
Meanwhile, the NPCC has appealed to the chief minister T.R. Zeliang, who is in-charge of F&CS department, to take responsibility and set up an independent enquiry so as to bring the culprit to book without fear or favour and dispense justice to those who have been deprived of their due share.