BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 13th January 2024 : In a compelling display of dissatisfaction, the residents of Mangalkhali staged a roadblock protest from 8 am to 12 pm on Saturday, bringing attention to the persisting issue of irregularities in the distribution of essential goods at the local fair price shop.
The catalyst for the protest stems from the alleged misconduct at the Mangalkhali fair price shop, managed by Charan Nath, a prominent figure associated with the ruling party. Complaints have surfaced over the last 4-5 months, asserting that ration cardholders, numbering 900 individuals, have been consistently receiving substandard goods or, in some cases, nothing at all.
Charan Nath’s position as the leader of the ruling party has led to accusations that his son, Barindranath, is operating without accountability. Villagers claim that despite raising concerns with the Pax manager, Nirmal Kanti, they received no satisfactory response, prompting them to take drastic measures.
Frustrated by the prolonged adversity, villagers barricaded the Mangalkhali road on Saturday, disrupting normalcy until noon. The situation drew the attention of local authorities, with Dharmanagar sub-divisional magistrate Sam Joy Jamatia, DCM Sanjay Acharya, and food inspector rushing to the scene.
Following discussions between officials and villagers, assurances were given that fair price shops would undergo monthly monitoring to ensure timely distribution of government-subsidized goods. The authorities acknowledged the severity of the situation and committed to rectifying the ongoing issues.
In an attempt to alleviate immediate concerns, Mangalkhali fair shop posted a notice redirecting customers to Krishnapur fair shop for this month’s distribution due to salesmen’s inconvenience. However, the root problem of inadequate supplies, especially rice, over the past several months remains unresolved.
The roadblock was lifted as officials promised vigilant oversight, marking a temporary resolution to the villagers’ grievances.
