Stockpiling capacity of PDS items to increase
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Maisnam Karnajit
Imphal, June 13 2012:
With completion of the construction works on two additional FCS godowns of 2500 MT and 5000 MT capacity currently underway at Jiribam under Imphal East district and Ningthoupham under Senapati district respectively, PDS items for four months and more would be able to stockpile in the state, Ksh Thoiba, Deputy General Manager of FCI has stated.
In an exclusive interview with Hueiyen Lanpao, Ksh Thoiba informed that at present there are three FCI godowns in the state.
These are at Jiribam, Sangaiprou and Ukhrul.
The total stock capacity of these three godowns is 20,590 MT.
The stockpiling capacity of the three existing godowns is for 3 months only.
However, with completion of the construction works on two other additional FCI godowns at Jiribam and Senapati, the stock capacity would increase, and this would help in stockpiling more PDS items for four months and more in near future.
He further informed that transporters for the additional godown at Jiribam have already been reserved and recruitment of transporters for the godown at Ningthoupham is under process.
With increase in the stockpiling capacity would ensure uninterrupted supply of PDS items to the public even during bandhs and blockades or at times of natural calamities.
The Deputy General Manager of FCI said that FCI is trying to procure all the required quantity of PDS items before arrival of monsoons.
But the problem is the condition of the unloading point at Jiribam godown.
If the monsoons arrived earlier, then it would be very hard for the transporters to load the PDS items from the godown.
So, the government should put in all its efforts towards repairing the worsening condition of Jiribam godown at the earliest possible.
According to FCI record, there are at rice in stock for another 75 days, sugar for another 50 days.
Thoiba also emphasized on the need to construct two more 2500 MT capacity godowns at Thoubal and Churachandpur.