‘Include tribal in NFSA’

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, JAN 23:  The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) Nongthymmai Circle on Monday served a month’s deadline to the district authorities for inclusion of deserving tribal beneficiaries in the National Food Security Act (NFSA) list. Speaking to reporters after meeting with the East Khasi hills deputy commissioner PS Dkhar, HYC-NC general secretary Enlang Sawian alleged that 90 percent of the beneficiaries in the NFSA list are from non-indigenous communities.

He said the anomaly found was mainly in the areas falling under Madanrting where most of tribal population has been excluded from the list for availing ration cards under NFSA.

“ We have decided to demand the district administration to rectify the anomaly and ensure the deserving beneficiaries are included in the list within one month,” Sawian said.

He warned failing to do so the HYC would be compelled to close down all the fair price shops operating under Madanrting area.

When asked, the HYC leader said that the DC has assured to take necessary steps on the issue and had pointed out the failure of the socio-economic census for non-inclusion of tribal people in the list.

On the other hand, the council’s president T Kharjahrin said they also insisted that that the district administration conducts a review on the list and ensure the names of non-tribal without proper documents are deleted.

He also alleged there is high possibility of manipulation by the politicians for their hidden interest to boost their vote banks.