Where can we buy rice with Rs 4, IDPs question Move to slash ration money protested

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 5 : Inmates of Sajiwa and Sawombung relief camps stormed the SDO office at Sawombung today, protesting the introduction of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for ration allowances, which reportedly slashed the amount for procuring rice from Rs 20 to Rs 4.
The internally displaced persons (IDPs) stormed the SDO office at Sawombung, returned their monthly allowance for November amounting Rs 11,74,320, and questioned where and how rice could be purchased at Rs 4.
A large number of IDPs stormed the SDO office around 2 pm. today, only to find the SDO absent.
They later engaged with available staff and requested the SDO’s return.
When the SDO proposed holding discussions at the Imphal East DC office, the IDPs refused and staged a sit-in, vowing not to leave until the SDO arrives.
Informed of the situation, the Sawombung SDC came in place of the SDO and held talks with the IDPs, but the discussions yielded no resolution.
The IDPs then returned the November daily ration allowance for 466 displaced persons totalling Rs 11,74,320 to the SDC.
Speaking to the media, Koijam Sarat Meitei, a representative of the IDPs, stated that the Government previously provided a daily allowance of Rs 100 per person, from which Rs 20 was deducted for 400 grams of rice, leaving Rs 80.
He added that after the introduction of the DBT scheme on November 1, IDPs now receive only Rs 84 in total, with just Rs 4 allocated for rice.
He accused the Government of insulting the IDPs by slashing the rice allowance to a mere Rs 4, and asked where they could possibly buy rice with such a meagre amount.
Explaining that they returned the November ration allowance because they could not buy rice with such a meagre amount, he urged the Government to take necessary steps to either provide rice directly or allocate sufficient funds for its purchase within 10 days.
The Government must facilitate their return to their native places if it fails to entertain their demands, he said.
Similarly, a large number of IDPs staged a sit-in protest at Mandop Yumpham Relief Camp at Khurkhul against the reduction of their ration allowance to Rs 84 through DBT.
Previously, each IDP received a daily allowance of Rs 80 plus rice, but this has now been replaced with Rs 84 per day and no rice.
Speaking to the media during the protest, IDPs expressed frustration, stating that the authorities seemed out of touch with ground realities.
They appealed to the Government to reinstate the provision of rice and daily allowance.