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Govt to allot 2.5 MT foodgrains
for BPL families under SC rap |
STAFF REPORTE
Gangtok: The government on Thursday, Sept.2, decided to
release an additional 2.5 million tonnes of foodgrains to
states for distribution among the poor, following a
reprimand from the Supreme Court over rotting foodgrains
despite hungry millions. But the foodgrains would be
distributed at rates prescribed for Below Poverty Line (BPL)
families and not free.
"The government is considering an overhaul of PDS (public
distribution system) including upgrading the number of
eligible BPL families. This is expected to increase the
number of BPL families eligible for assistance and
corresponding increase in allocation by central government.
As an interim ad-hoc measure, pending a final decision on
the issue, the government is releasing an additional
quantity of 2.5 million tonnes of wheat and rice to the
states at a BPL price," Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad
Pawar told reporters after a meeting of an empowered Group
of Ministers. The Supreme Court had on August 31 taken
strong exception to the government not complying with its
earlier order on distributing foodgrains lying idle in
godowns to the poor. Currently, there are 6.52 crore
families registered under the BPL category and they are each
eligible for 35 kg of food grains a month. Rice is
distributed to BPL families at Rs 5.65 a kg, while wheat is
allotted at Rs 4.15 a kg.
After the proposed overhaul, the number of BPL families is
expected to increase to 8.1 crore. "It was not a suggestion.
It is there in our order. It is part of our order. You tell
the Minister about it," a Bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari
and Deepak Verma told the government counsel Additional
Solicitor General Mohan on August 31, reacting to inaction
by the government to put the foodgrain to use before they
rot. The EGOM meeting chaired by Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee followed the court''s censure. Pawar had said in
Parliament on August 31 that the government will honour the
decision of the Supreme Court''s order of August 12. "Give
it to the hungry poor instead of it (grains) going down the
drain," a bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak
Verma said in an order that followed reports of food
wastage. The Food Corporation of India, which is responsible
for warehousing foodgrains, in a response to a Right to
Information query admitted to wastage of over 1.3 million
tonnes of foodgrain in various warehouses over the past
decade. A report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of
India for 2009 faulted Punjab for losing a high quantity of
foodgrain in storage. (With Agency input) |
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Land donors to be settled
first: Karki |
OU R CORRESPONDENT
 Gangtok:
Sikkim University building construction work will start
after completion of the 27 Km road from Pabong Phatak to
Yangyang is made ready. Speaking to reporters RMD Minister
Mr. CB Karki said, land acquisition process is already
completed but the Government is waiting for completion of
the road work. “Government has acquired around 300 acre land
for University at Yangyang Constituency but due to rainy
season Government and RMD department could not force the
land donors to leave their home without resettlement”, the
Minister said. “Aafter completion of the road we will start
electricity and water supply work as both are most important
for the University”, he said.
The Government needs around 50 acre land for resettlement of
the landless and an endeavour to acquire land is underway.
“We will prefer that the displaced persons be resettled
first”, he said.
After the Sikkim University comes up at the chosen site,
land donors will get job in C and D grade without interview,
as Sikkim University will give preference to local people,
Mr. Karki said.
According to Minister Karki, under village Action Plan all
facilities will be provided to villagers to make them unique
village as in Switzerland. “We have plan to make eco city
village”, he added. |
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Landslide ravaged areas visited by officials |
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Gangtok: A team led by SDM (East) Dr. A.B. Karki and BDO Mr.
K.L. Lepcha visited the landslide affected areas under
Khamdong BAC Wednesday. The team went to Chisopani,
Tshalamthang, Sirwani, Dochum and Singbel areas where
extensive damages to private houses and properties including
standing crops have happened.
Reports of damages of houses and crops have been received
from Sang, Martam, Tinek, Thangsing, Makha, Thasa, Ralap,
Tshalamthang, Dungdung, Khamdong, Chisopani, Dochum and
Singbel where departmental surveyors have been deputed to
assess the extent of damages. One Mukhya Mantri Awaz Yojna
house belonging to Mr. Tanka Prasad Darjee of Dundung
Village constructed in 2009 has been extensively damaged by
the landslide on 26 August. Reports of burial of cow sheds
with livestock have also been received from various places
for which departmental officials have been assigned to
survey and verify.
As many as 350-400 house damage complaints have been
officially received so far. Crop damages and landslides at
various places under Khandong Block Administrative Centre
are being received. Survey and assessment of damages is
being ascertained by the departmental surveyors at various
places after which financial relief will be given to the
victims. |
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