Meghalaya asks BSF to report diversion of foodgrains

Shillong, June 1 (UNI) The Meghalaya government has appealed to the BSF to report to the government about the diversion of essential commodities to Bangladesh.

The BSF had alleged that subsidised rice and kerosene meant for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families had been smuggled to Bangladesh.

The Org-Marg survey conducted in 2005 had revealed 80 per cent diversion of food grains in the open market.

''We have received complaints from the BSF about smuggling of rice and kerosene to Bangladesh but we have asked them (BSF) to give us evidence so that the government can take action against those involved,'' East Khasi Hills District Deputy Commissioner B Dhar told newspersons yesterday.

Mr Dhar, who held meeting with representatives of the Meghalaya Chamber of Commerce and Frontier Chamber of Commerce, also discussed about the frequent price-rise which had affected many in the state.

He said the district administration would streamline the process and plug the malpractices and pilferage of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state.

Meanwhile, the state Bharatiya Janata Party demanded the resignation of Food and Civil Supplies Minister Martle N Mukhim for the large scale diversion of PDS in the state.

''Mr Mukhim should step down owning moral responsibility for the large scale diversion of PDS in the state,'' BJP General Secretary P M Passah said.

Recently, the government had decided to introduce electronic bar-coded food coupon system in all the seven districts of the state from July 2007 to plug all the loopholes.

UNI