Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 18, 2010:
Continuing with its efforts to address the plight of the people resulting from scarcity of essential commodities due to the prolonged blockade on NH-39 and NH-53, the State Government has brought in life saving drugs and rice in cargo planes today too.
It is reported that airlifting of essential commodities in cargo planes will continue.
Airlifting of life saving drugs and rice by using postal cargo and Indian Air Force cargo aircraft, which started from yesterday after the State Government tied up with the Ministry of Home Affairs continued today too, informed an official source.
The State has been facing a serious crisis of fuel oil scarcity.
Till this morning, postal cargo brought nine metric tonnes of life saving drugs, while Air Force aircraft ferried 3.5 tonnes of rice.
But the existing crisis of scarcity or unavailability of essential commodities cannot be overcome by airlifting goods, said an FCI official.
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Stocks of petrol and diesel are now almost nil except for a little quantity reserved to prevent total break down of Govt machinery, said a source in the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department.
Stock of Air Turbine Fuel (ATF) at Tulihal has also depleted to the minimum.
The remaining stock has been reserved for emergency services.
Refuelling of aircraft landing at the airport has been stopped.
Instead all aircraft have started flying to Imphal with extra fuel loaded at other airports.
The Chief Secretary has sent a written missive to the Union Home Secretary appealing it to persuade the Indian Oil Corporation deliver petroleum products to Manipur.
On the other hand, six cement laden trucks earlier stranded at Silchar/Jiribam have reached Guite Road enroute to Imphal.
Meanwhile, it is reported that one postal cargo plane and an Air Force plane brought life saving drugs to Imphal this afternoon.