Rice supply still falling short of requirements
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2010: Notwithstanding the arrangement to transport rice from Dimapur to Imphal under CRPF escort and by train from Guwahati and Ramnagar to Jiribam at the initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the rice being brought in is falling short of the monthly requirement of the State.

According to an official source, the quantity of rice being transported under CRPF escorts from Dimapur to Imphal as part of the initiative taken up by the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure adequate food supply in Manipur has not yet reached the required monthly stock of the State and as on August 28 there was no rice in stock at the FCI godown at Sangaiprou.

Goods trucks stranded, not enough rice for people

Informing that the daily requirement of rice in Manipur is 1510 metric tonne and around 45,300 metric tonne in a month, the official disclosed that the existing rice stock in the godown of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAFPD) will last only for six days.

Till August 17, FCI had issued 891 metric tonne of rice to CAFPD for public distribution and another 331 metric tonne for welfare scheme.

During the same period, 966 metric tonne of rice had been brought from Dimapur to the FCI godown at Sangaiprou, 1338 metric tonne from Guwahati to Jiribam, 215 metric tonne from Ramanagar to Jiribam besides another 1,303 metric tonne which was brought by train.

As there is not enough rice in the stock of CAFPD, with exception to AAY rice, the Dept has not been able to ensure adequate supply of other PDS rice to the people nor release full quota of rice to the respective districts, the source added.

Meanwhile, only five rice laden trucks of FCI were among 341 Imphal-bound vehicles escorted by CRPF through National Highway 39 today.

The escorted vehicles include 278 loaded trucks, 20 oil tankers, 7 bullet tankers, 5 rice laden trucks of FCI and other light vehicles.

On the other hand, as the condition of the Imphal-Jiri Road (National Highway 53) near Nungba is deplorable almost to the point of rendering unserviceable, many Imphal goods laden trucks have been stranded along the route.