Opposition MNF asks govt to reverse decision on ration hike

Main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) on Tuesday urged the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government headed by chief minister Lalduhoma to reverse its decision to hike ration (foodgrain) for beneficiaries not covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA). Recently, state supply minister B. Lalchhanzova had said that the government would cut down the subsidy on ration food grains given to beneficiaries not covered by NFSA from the existing Rs. 25 to Rs. 10 per kg of rice. He had also said that the government will hike the price of subsidised food grains by 100 per cent from Rs. 15 to Rs. 30 per kg of rice for non-NFSA households. Speaking to reporters at a press conference here, MNF Legislature party leader and former education minister Lalchhandama Ralte said that the decision to hike ration was  a ‘unilateral decision’ taken by the supply minister without consulting opposition parties and other stakeholders.

He said that  the MNF wanted a collective decision to be taken on the matter after consultation of political parties, NGOs and other stakeholders.”Considering the plight and needs of the public, the MNF strongly opposed the government decision to hike the ration by 100 per cent. This will adversely affect majority households, who receive subsidised foodgrains through the public distribution system,” he said.  Ralte also blamed the state government for allegedly removing 85 families in Phuldungsei village under Hachhek assembly constituency in Mamit district on the Mizoram-Tripura border from the state’s ration card list.

The previous Mizoram governments under MNF and Congress have protected the residents by enrolling them in the state’s voter list and providing them ration cards  although the Tripura government refused to delete their names from the state ration card list despite repeated appeals by the residents that they are part of Mizoram, he said.  Officials of the supply department could not be contacted on the matter. The MNF legislators also accused the supply department of breaching the Mizoram Public Procurement Rules 2020 in floating tender for rice supply.