Dr Murru said that the CNCCI, a conglomeration of the 16 districts chamber of commerce, after knowing the lapses in the state for the PDS rice scheme are routed through to “someone”, the beneficiaries have to bear the brunt of buying the same rice from shops where it cost about Rs 30 to Rs 40 per Kg.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The Confederation of Nagaland Chambers and Commerce and Industries (CNCCI) on March 4 raised issues on the distribution of the Public Distribution System (PDS) for rice in Nagaland stating that there are “loopholes” in the system.
Addressing media persons at a press conference called by the CNCCI at Niathu Resort, Chumoukedima, attended by other district officials, president Dr Khekugha Murru said that the issue on the PDS rice in the state has to be taken after the many correspondences received from the various districts of the state which needed to be addressed to the Nagaland government and the department of food and civil supplies.
Taking cognizance of the same, Dr Murru said that the CNCCI, a conglomeration of the 16 districts chamber of commerce, after knowing the lapses in the state for the PDS rice scheme are routed through to “someone”, the beneficiaries have to bear the brunt of buying the same rice from shops where it cost about Rs 30 to Rs 40 per Kg.
Underlining that it has for many times put forward the issue to the state government citing that agricultural produces have grown up to sustain the state but lamented instead the state has become and has created a “monopoly state” where few rice mill owners, dealers, or the distributors have the privilege to buy the PDS rice meant for the poor people where the entire business communities dealing in rice are at the “mercy” of few “individuals”.
In principle, Dr Murru said that the CNCCI is against the “syndicate” and for which it has written a letter to the department concerned in streamlining while also making known that it is not against the department or the government but to justify by streamlining for the PDS rice which is also known as “poor men rice”.
In this regard, the CNCCI president, Dr Khekugha Murru, invited the state government for an open discussion on the very issue for a “solution”.
Also taking his time, president, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI), Akashe Zhimomi, expressed that with the introduction of free DPS rice schemes, the import and of rice in the market has gone down, however, he urged the department concerned to take necessary action in ensuring transparency in the distribution of the rice.
Others who attended the meet were representatives from Niuland Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Chumoukedima Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Peren Chamber of Commerce and Industries.