No one will go hungry due to lockdown: CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 29 2020: While reiterating his appeal to all the people to fight the COVID-19 pandemic collectively, Chief Minister N Biren has assured that no one will go hungry or go to bed on empty stomach on account of the current lockdown.

Speaking to some media persons today, the Chief Minister stated that the Government has been distributing rice to people free of cost as the entire population has been confined to their homes without any opportunity or room to earn for days.

The State Government's step to distribute rice to people free of cost is a part of the collective fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

No one will go hungry due to lockdown: CM

Noting that some people have been making all kinds of comments regarding distribution of rice, Biren stated that the rice being distributed at the moment is meant for distribution in April under NFSA.

However, as a country-wide lockdown has been imposed till April 14 to prevent and contain the highly contagious virus, the rice allocation for April is brought forward and distributed these days, Biren said.

Earlier, five Kgs of rice were given to each NFSA card holder every month at minimal price but these days, both NFSA card holders as well as those not in possession of such cards would be given four Kgs of rice free of cost.

The Chief Minister conveyed that the decision to provide rice free of cost to people when they are under lockdown was adopted at a meeting of Ministers and MLAs.

The Government's initiative to distribute four Kgs of rice to each individual, irrespective of whether one holds NFSA card or not is basically aimed at containing the COVID-19 with collective efforts, asserted the Chief Minister.

All the people of Manipur are not NFSA card holders.

Only a small percentage of the total popu- lation of Keirao AC possess NFSA cards.

Additional quantity of rice is allotted for such places under a special arrangement, Biren said.

The Chief Minister then categorically assured that there would be no shortage of rice for all sections of people including the homeless as well as those living in rented houses/rooms during the lockdown.

Stating that no one would go hungry on account of the lockdown which is necessary to control and contain the novel coronavirus, Biren informed that a website www.tengbang.in has been launched today.

The website would facilitate extension of aid to Manipuri people stranded outside the State as well as those who want to contribute in the battle against COVID-19, he asserted.

He then appealed to all the Manipuri people staying and stranded outside the State to communicate with the State Government through the website for necessary help.

People may also send feedback and point out lapses, if there is any, on the part of the Government regarding its efforts to neutralise COVID-19, he added.