Commitment Sans Action
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: December 06, 2014 -
Proposed transportation of rice from Myanmar has been good news to many, as the road communication along Imphal-Jiribam as well as Imphal-Dimapur highways has often been disturbed due to blockades, strikes, bandhs and landslides as well.
Such an endeavor to open up the eastern corridor of Manipur for food imports would ensure uninterrupted supply of food items, which has always been disrupted by unscrupulous elements on the National Highways connecting Imphal with the rest of India.
Apparent developments along the Indo-Myanmar connectivity coupled with Narendra Modi Government’s Act East Policy surely bring high hopes to the people of this landlocked Manipur, who frequently encounter hazards while passing through Indian states neighboring the state.
However, the welcome move of the State Government and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been filled with apprehension as the development of required infrastructure at the border town of Moreh cannot be completed on schedule.
The Minister of Food and consumer Affairs, Moirangthem Okendro who had announced start of the maiden rice imports from Myanmar on his inspection visit to Moreh on November 7 last, is not able to fulfill his commitment regarding the much-praised endeavor by December 5.
It cannot be ascertained when the import of rice from Myanmar will take off, as the required technical infrastructure are not readily available at Moreh.
Food Corporation of India is to transport around 10 metric tons of rice from neighboring Myanmar every month.
As soon as the consignment reaches India at Moreh, necessary weighing and quality testing of the rice have to be done, besides finalizing formalities like taxation and customs duties.
The Weight Bridge and Land Custom at Moreh, which had long been erected at Moreh, could not be made functional till today.
Besides a Food Testing Laboratory to determine the quality of rice being imported from neighboring country, the Weighing Bridge to measure the imported quantity is a must to ensure good quality rice for the people of Manipur.
The sufficient storage facility to dump the consignment is also required to be maintained at the border town.
However, the non-completion of various arrangements for the effort has compelled the government to postpone the rice imports which will be historic in nature.
The opening up of the Eastern Corridor for food imports will surely be leap forward for the Okram Ibobi led Congress Government in Manipur.
Hence it is high time for the State Government to pay due attention to expedite the process for improvement of required infrastructure at Moreh town to begin food imports.
The State Government needs to act on its commitment.
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