Imphal: Residents of Churachandpur are fuming. They want answers regarding the whereabouts of food supplies intended for those in need. MLA L. Rameshwor Meetei recently urged Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to keep Ningombam Jayanta Singh as the District Supply Officer for the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution department. The public is not having it. They claim the officer presided over massive failures in rice distribution.
A memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister details the rot. It claims 2,000 quintals of rice meant for internally displaced persons vanished every month. The rice was processed but never reached the people. An RTI filed on February 24, 2026, revealed more gaps. It alleged that National Food Security Act rice never made it to the shelves in March and April 2026. Locals verified these claims through field visits and interviews.
Data proves the district is falling behind. As of September 2, 2026, Churachandpur held the lowest e-KYC coverage for food security beneficiaries. Residents also pointed to the officer's chronic absence. The memo stated, "the DSO had been unable to physically attend the district office for over three years due to the prevailing law and order situation, affecting its functioning." This absenteeism crippled the office when citizens needed it most.
The officer was eventually moved to Jiribam, but the MLA's push to keep him in the role has sparked outrage. Critics say backing a target of corruption claims before an investigation finishes is a slap in the face. Residents demand a full departmental enquiry and a clear account of the missing grain.
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