SASMBS Urges Government to Clear NFSA Dues Within August 30

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 19: The fair price dealers belonging to Sodou Asom Sulabh Mulya Baybashai Santha (SASMBS) have been distributing food grains to deserving beneficiaries under National Food Security Act (NFSA) since 2015. However, the members of SASMBS have alleged that they have not received their dues/profit from the Government over the last three years. Hence the SASMBS has demanded of the Government to clear their arrear dues/profit within August 30.

Talking to The Sentinel, members of the Santha have said the BJP-led Governments at the Centre and in the State have only been harassing them. They have alleged that both the governments have been neglecting them and have not corded any importance in the matter of clearance of all financial benefits due to them. The Santha has further alleged that while its members have been rendering sincere and dedicated service to the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act since 2015, with the authorities turning a blind eye towards the needs of the Santha members, it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to carry on with their task. They have also alleged that on several occasions they have been forced to bear necessary expenses from their personal coffers. The members have further said that with the Government not clearing their dues, presently they are confronting a crisis-like situation and that only on their dues being paid by the Government they would be in a position to carry along with their assigned task effectively.

The SASMBS has also pointed out that as per the Act, there is no room for middlemen between the SASMBS members and the beneficiaries. However, they have alleged that, of late, middlemen have made way which is indeed a violation of the Act. On this count the SASMBS members have squarely blamed the Government.

While demanding that their dues be cleared by the Government within August 30, the SASMBS members have warned that any failure of the authorities on this count would force them to take to the path of agitation to recover their dues.