Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s CM CONNECT initiative has resolved a food security issue in the village of Koraibari, located in the Ranikor area of Meghalaya.
Residents of the village had raised concerns about not receiving their monthly rations under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) from the local Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealer.
The FPS dealer, Lipson Ch Sangma, was accused of denying a group of beneficiaries their rightful rations, with factionalism and internal groupism within the village further exacerbating the issue.
Many villagers had been deprived of their entitled food grains for a prolonged period, with some going without for up to two years.
During a visit to the area three days ago, the chief minister assured the locals that the issue would be addressed.
He emphasised that strict action would be taken against those responsible, regardless of conflicting claims from various factions within the village.
Following his visit, Director of the Supply Department, Anita Kharpor, wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills, instructing an inquiry into the matter.
On February 17, an inquiry team from the Supply Department visited Koraibari village to investigate the situation.
After confirming that many beneficiaries had been denied their rations for an extended period, immediate action was taken.
The FPS dealer’s license was revoked, and he was instructed to submit all related documents in his possession.
Efforts were also made to mediate between the conflicting groups in the village, ensuring a fair and just resolution for all.
In addition to the cancellation of the dealer’s license, the Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills has been directed to initiate further punitive measures, including filing an FIR against the dealer if the deprived food grains are not distributed to the rightful beneficiaries.
Sangma praised the success of CM CONNECT, saying, “CM Connect has empowered our people. Today, people have mastered the courage to stand up for their cause. I really feel a sense of satisfaction that our people are now able to resolve their issues through this platform.”
He emphasised that while not every issue can be solved, CM CONNECT provides a valuable opportunity for citizens to voice their concerns and receive a response from the government.
The CM CONNECT initiative, launched in February 2024, aims to make the government more accessible and responsive to the needs of the people.
Over the past year, it has engaged with over 50,000 citizens, provided guidance on government schemes to more than 12,000 individuals, and successfully resolved nearly 1,200 grievances.
Pravin Bakshi, Commissioner & Secretary of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, also responded to the issue, noting that the department is committed to ensuring transparency in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
“Foodgrains distribution through ePOS devices is an important step to ensure beneficiaries get an automated receipt for their ration allocation,” he said, adding that regular inspections are carried out to prevent such issues.
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The intervention has been met with gratitude from the local community.
The secretary of the village expressed appreciation for the chief minister’s timely response, stating, “We are grateful to CM sir for his intervention. In just two days after we raised the complaint, officials came, verified the issue, and canceled the dealership license. We are now getting our rightful entitlement.”
CM CONNECT, a key initiative under the leadership of the chief minister, continues to underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring food security and justice for all citizens, especially in remote and vulnerable areas.
With a satisfaction rate of 93.5% among surveyed citizens, the programme is proving to be a successful platform for addressing public grievances and improving government accountability.
