Delhi tells State Govt not to import rice from Myanmar
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 04 2015 : The sheepish Manipur Government officials were shocked to silence now that the Union Government has directed all concerned to abandon the unilateral plan done without proper home works to import rice from Myanmar.

A plan was hastily chalked out to import 10,000 metric tonnes of rice from Myanmar every month.

It was made out that once this is done the state could tide over the situation since there would be no shortage of rice for PDS in the state.

The Union Government had started looking into the matter, perhaps taking into consideration scams associated with PDS items in the past in some Northeast (NE) States including Manipur.

After the assessment the Governments of Manipur and Mizoram were directed to abadon the plan.

The directive was given to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) officials.

The FCI officials in Manipur have also received the directive.

Official reports said that as per agreements between the two countries rice would be imported to Manipur.

Even the process for the engagement of transporters had been started.

The idea for the plan was that there would be enough stock of rice in the FCI godowns.

Besides most of the NE states face landslides during torrential rains apart from crippling blockades and other disruptions.

The Minister of Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution of Manipur had made the formal announcements.

He had even inspected godowns where the imported rice would be stocked.

A food testing laboratory was to be set up in Manipur to assess the quality of rice to be imported.

The reasons behind the directive of the Union Government is not known as yet although officials are fairly convinced.

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