Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 05 2010:
The import license for bringing in 30,000 metric tonne of rice from Myanmar may be given only after the State quota of the PDS items from the Centre for the current year have been received.
Conveying this to The Sangai Express, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Y Erabot disclosed that the State quota of most PDS items sanctioned by the Government of India for the current year have not yet been lifted.
The Minister explained that adequate quantity of the sanctioned PDS items could not be lifted as trucks have not plied along National Highway 39 for a long time in the aftermath of the unprecedented 68 days economic blockade and the on and off again blockade, and the deplorable condition of National Highway-53 .
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The Government of India is therefore of the opinion that all the sanctioned PDS items should be lifted first before issuing the import license for bringing in rice from Myanmar, the Minister said.
The Government of India is apprehensive of criticism that may come on alleged dependence on neighbouring foreign country for food grain in the event of issuing the import license for bringing in 30,000 metric tonne of rice from Myanmar despite existence of adequate stock of PDS items, the Minister observed, adding, nonetheless, that the State Government has sent a reminder to the Govt of India for issuing the required import license.
The Minister further said that there is no question of shortage in the quantity of PDS items sanctioned by the Government of India to Manipur.
The only problem is it has been unable to bring in the adequate quantity of the sanctioned PDS items here on account of the deplorable conditions of the highways.
It may be noted here that the Director General of Foreign Trade, Govt of India had already issued authorisation certificate to MANIDCO to import 30,000 metric tonne of rice from Myanmar in consideration of shortage of food grain in the State.