Imphal, May 09 2010: Food items and other essential commodities under control of the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department which are currently in great shortage will be available in adequate quantity within a week, claimed Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Y Erabot.

Speaking to media persons at his residence this morning, Erabot admitted that excepting rice other essential commodities are in great shortage consequent upon the economic blockade called against the scheduled Autonomous District Council elections coupled with the turmoil which arose due to proposed visit NSCN (IM) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah to his birth place.

The State Government has already proposed to the authority of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to enable the State Government transport its share of petroleum products and LPG from Silchar.

The IOC has also given its consent.

The State quota of rice deposited at the Dimapur FCI godown has been lying in the same godown because of the economic blockade coupled by a huge monetary demand slapped by an underground organisation on the transporters, Erabot said.

As such, the State Government has made all preparations to bring the rice quota from Silchar to Imphal through Jiribam by hiring contract transporters.

To check the condition of Imphal-Jiribam road and to provide security escorts to vehicles, some security personnel have been already sent.

At present, 567 Kilolitres of petrol, 1611 Kl of diesel, 218 Kl of aviation turbine filler and 856 Kl of SK Oil are in stock.

This is against the daily requirement of 75 Kl of petrol and 220 Kl of petrol.

These available stocks of petrol and diesel have been reserved for use in emergency and other purposes of utmost importance, Erabot said.

With the gas bottling plant at Sekmai not working, the State is also facing acute shortage of LPG.

47 oil tankers and LPG carriers carrying 329 metric tonnes of LPG are currently stranded at Khatkhati, Assam, the Minister added.