The chairman of Mait Shaphrang Movement, Michael Syiem, today told reporters that on March 1, in an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to the Prime Minister’s Office, had apprised Singh of low-quality foodgrain supplied to the state.
“I wanted the Prime Minister to take note of the matter so that perennial complaints about the quality of foodgrain can be sorted out,” Syiem said.
According to him, consumption of low-quality foodgrain has made many villagers, especially women and children, ill.
“I have received several complaints from the villagers of West Khasi Hills that foodgrain they receive are of very poor quality,” Syiem said. He said several residents of Laban had complained to him that they were getting sugar which is black in colour. Irregular distribution of wheat in the state is also a matter of concern, according to him.
Syiem suggested setting up of FCI godowns in all the district headquarters for monitoring the quality of foodgrain.
According to him, if sealed packets are distributed directly to the fair price shops, the consumers will get quality products. He also wanted the deputy commissioners to keep a regular check on the quality of the foodgrain.
In September last year, a five-member delegation of the Central Vigilance Commission led by former Supreme Court judge D.P. Wadhwa attended a public hearing on the public distribution system here.
Syiem said the situation improved a little after that, but worsened thereafter.
House resolution
The Meghalaya Assembly today passed a resolution in favour of administrator’s rule in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council amid criticism from the Opposition.
On April 1, the state cabinet recommended deputy commissioner’s rule in the council amid claims and counter claims of majority support by both the Congress and the NCP.
The council has been kept under suspended animation.
District council affairs minister H.D.R. Lyngdoh while rejecting the Opposition’s demand for election of the council’s chief executive member in the future, said the current situation was not conducive to hold elections.
“Once we are satisfied, we would immediately revoke the administrator’s role,” Lyngdoh said.
As the anti-defection law is not applicable in the district councils, instances of members of the district councils changing allegiance are common.