Imphal, November 24: Following the prolonged imposition of economic blockade along the National Highways coupled with lack of concern on the part of the State Government, rice stock in the FCI godown of Sangaiprou has severely depleted and is unlikely to last no longer than the current month.

On the other hand, even as construction of the 2500 metric ton capacity FCI godown at Jiribam has been completed, the Chief Operation Manager of NF Railway located at Maligaon has refused the official request of the FCI officials to send the rice quota of the State by railways to the Jiribam godown.

Despite the FCS Minister and MLA of Jiribam constituency Th Debendra taking up the issue with the Railway authority, the NF Railway officials have remained unresponsive.

FCI Imphal officials have confirmed that due to the on and off economic blockades imposed by different bodies along NH-39, the rice stock in the Sangaiprou FCI godown has depleted to an alarming position and the present stock would be hard to meet the requirements of the current month.

Another official lamented that even as the weather conditions were perfect to bring in the due quota of PDS items including rice to build up a buffer stock in addition to providing the present requirements, the PDS items could not be transported due to the economic blockades on the highways.

The existing little stock was also brought together with other private transporters amidst tight escort provided by security forces, he added.

In the aftermath of the 52 day long economic blockade imposed last year and following the pressure exerted by people to develop the Imphal-Jiribam road, a godown of 2500 metric ton capacity was constructed by CPWD near the Jiribam railway station and was handed over to FCI Imphal.

After the godown was handed over to FCI Imphal, FCI officials had asked the Chief Operation Manager of NF Railway, Maligaon to send the due State quota of rice and other PDS items by train to the Jiribam godown but till date no response has been forthcoming from the Railway officials, disclosed the official.

Recalling that till 2001, the rice quota of Manipur was transported by railways up to Jiribam, the official taking serious note of the matter, wished the State Government would take up the issue with the Union Government concerning the refusal of the Railway officials to transport the foodgrains by railways when the godown is just near the Jiribam railway station.

He also drew the attention of the FCS Minister who is also the elected representative of Jiribam constituency.

Saying that plans are afoot to build a larger godown at Jiribam once the rail line to Jiribam is upgraded to broad gauge, the officials opined that the fear of a possible food grain shortage due to frequent economic blockades on National highways could be negated if adequate food grains are stocked at the Jiribam godown after bringing in the foodgrains by railways till Jiribam.

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