FCI to penalize transport contractors
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 12 2013:
Food Corporation of India (FCI), Dimapur Region has decided to charge demurrage from the transport contractors for non-transportation of the requisite quantity of rice to the State for one month.
According to a reliable source, the Railways authorities have asked FCI, Dimapur Region to pay demurrage for non-transportation of rice.
Subsequently, the FCI decided to charge the demurrage imposed by the Railways from the transport contractors.
While trying to figure out the exact reason for non-transportation of rice to the State for one month, some media persons met the area manager of FCI, District Office located at Yaiskul today.
Area Manager Kamei Gongreipau said that the transporters are supposed to ferry 5000 metric tons of rice to the State from Dimapur in a month.
However, the transporters have ceased work since October 10 last.
The transporters' body WI Enterprise would be charged the demurrage for non-transportation of rice to the State for one month.
The manager continued that the FCI godowns in the State have enough stock of rice.
There is a stock of 8245 metric tons of rice at Sangaiprou, 4316 metric tons at Ukhrul, 2897 metric tons at Koirengei and 1170 metric tons at Jiribam.
The exact reason for non-transportation of rice by the contractors could not be ascertained as all officials of FCI have reportedly gone to attend the inauguration of a godown in Senapati district tomorrow.
Another source informed that WI Enterprise comprises 17 sub-contractors.
A dispute among the contractors has led to non-transportation of rice the State from Dimapur.
The FCI officials are facing difficulty to award transport orders owing to the dispute.
Frequent disturbance in transportation has been a major cause for artificial shortage of rice in the State.
The problems pertaining to transportation of rice can be solved once the regional office of FCI is opened in Imphal, the source added.