Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 08 2010:
After the tender floated by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to select new transporters for lifting State quota of rice Dimapur, Jiribam and Ramnagar in Silchar, drew blank with no one coming forward to quote their price, transportation of rice from Dimapur has been managed somehow, but not a grain has been lifted from Jiribam and Ramnagar.
According to an official source, of the allocated State quota of rice, 25,000 metric tonne are still lying at FCI godown at Ramnagar while another 2500 metric tonne are at Jiribam FCI godown apart from 1000 metric tonne of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAFPD) Department as no transporters have responded to the tender call.
When CAFPD and Transport Department jointly submitted the estimated cost of transportation charge for lifting rice from the FCI godown at Dimapur at the rate of 6 days, FCI had slashed the number of days contending that it takes only 3 days now to cover the journey.
Accordingly, the rate for a trip has been worked out at Rs 26,000 and rice is being transported from Dimapur at this rate.
However, when the estimated transportation charge for lifting the rice from Jiribam and Ramnagar was worked out and submitted at the rate of 8 days, FCI directed the State Government to fix the transportation charge not on the basis of number of days it takes to transport the rice.
Transport Commissioner will be presiding over a joint meeting with the officials of CAFPD on October 10 to discuss the matter that has been put up by FCI, the source disclosed.
It may be noted here that Manipur experienced shortage of food grain and escalating price rise following prolonged imposition of economic blockade along the National Highways.
The price of rice continues to remain high.