NEICORD for fair implementation of EU supported project

From our Special Correspondent

Silchar, Jan 5: North East India Committee on Relief and Development (NEICORD) and Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) have been presently engaged in implementing a project related to improving access to information and delivery of public schemes in  remote and backward districts of the north east India. This project is supported by the European Union (EU) and covers 7 districts of 5 states of north east India which include Cachar, Goalpara in Assam, Chandel and Churachandpur in Manipur, Ri Bhoi in Meghalaya, Lawngtlai in Mizoram and Wokha in galand.

 Sharing this information with The Sentinel, Lalthuthlung Hmar, Cachar district coorditor, NEICORD, said a memorandum on the subject has been submitted to the Inspector Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Lakhipur sub division today for his information and also for taking necessary steps in regard to the high price being realized from and less quantity of rice distributed to the beneficiaries and ration card holders under tiol Food Security Act (Targeted Public Distribution System). This is essential to ensure that no injustice is done to the poor and needy sections of people of the society.

 As part of the project activity, Lalthuthlung Hmar added to say since January 2014, their organization has been dedicated to improve the awareness level of people about various tiol schemes, its quality, eligibility, entitlement and also in accessing it through various activities and advocacy with government officials in term of helping them how to reach the community in more effective ways. It has also been engaged in interacting with the officials for their intervention to carry on baseline survey, village level awareness campaign, community score card exercise on tiol schemes. Besides, it is also concerned with meeting and training involving beneficiaries, community leaders, self help groups, community based organizations, government officials, panchayati raj institutions and NGOs.

 The issues have to be brought before these bodies in order to remove the deficiencies in the implementation of the noble project and also to mitigate the problems faced by the beneficiaries, pointed out Lalthuthlung Hmar. On this very issue, NEICORD Cachar district team has held detailed discussions with dealers of Lakhipur and Rajabazaar development blocks and advised them to issue 5 kg of rice per head at the rate of Rs.3 per kg every month in consistent with NFSA guidelines. In the process of monitoring, several fincial irregularities and cases of nepotism as well as anomalies committed by the dealers have come to light.

 Some dealers, alleged Lalthuthlung Hmar, continue to indulge in unfair practices. It is expected that the authorities concerned of Lakhipur sub division will look into the allegations and adopt corrective measures for proper and fair implementation of this project in the larger interest of common people. This will remove the sense of injustice from the minds of the beneficiaries and also elimite the sense of deprivation. A copy of the memorandum has also been sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar.