Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 17 2010:
Even as the hectic arrangements to transport rice up to Jiribam railway station and rice stock at Jiribam godown subsequently improving considerably, the same said rice could not be brought to Imphal due to certain transportation problems between Jiribam and Imphal.
Under the arrangement of the Food Corporation of India, 22 coaches of rice were brought by train to Jiribam on August 5.But till date, the same rice remains at Jiribam godown unable to reach Imphal.
The arrangement to transport rice up to Jiribam was made during a meeting between a high level Central team and the State Government at Imphal recently.
A reliable source informed that the rice deposited at Jiribam could not be brought to Imphal as the FCI has no transporters of their own.
Though the FCI has no transporters of their own, the FCI Chief Managing Director who visited Imphal recently together with a high level central team suggested the State Government to fix transportation charge and to forward the same to the FCI.
Accordingly, the State Government worked out the transportation charge and sent it to the FCI.
After this, the FCI asked the State Government to requisition vehicles for transportation of rice from Jiribam to Imphal.
But there is no necessity of requisitioning vehicles for movement along NH-53 as there is no restriction on the highway.
Transportation charge may be implemented as fixed by the State Government but the responsibility of transporting rice lies with the FCI and as such, it is their duty to arrange vehicles.
The State Government is not in the position to arrange vehicles, informed the source.
Another major factor for the inability to bring in rice along NH-53 is the deplorable condition of the highway because of which many drivers are reluctant to carry heavy loads along the highway, stated Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Y Erabot.
He stated that rice can be brought along Imphal-Jiribam route as the condition of the highway has improved.
Another source informed that sealed tender for selection of FCI transporters was opened last week.