'Gas home delivery in Imphal East & West from July'
Govt to open ten mobile rice shops
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 27 2012:
In order to give some relief to the people of the state when price of rice has increased in Imphal market due to incessant rainfall over the past five or six days, the state government has come up with the plan of opening mobile rice shops at 10 different places within Imphal Municipality areas.
Announcing this during a press meet at his office chamber today evening, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF & PD) Moirangthem Okendro said that mobile sale of rice would be facilitated at 10 different places in IMC areas for 10 days starting from June 29.However, there would be no mobile sale of rice on Sunday and holidays.
The Minister informed that the mobile sale outlets would be opened at Wahengbam Leikai parking, Sagolband Parking, Churachandpur Parking Keishampat, Khuyathong Parking, in front of IMC office building, Thangal Keithel, Paona Keithel, Shamu Makhong, Andro Parking and ISBT Khuman Lampak.
One can buy upto 15 kg of rice at Rs 9 per kg from these outlets.
The sale would begin from 10 am and continue till 5 pm.
The Minister explained that the arrangement for opening outlets for selling rice at public parkings has been taken up to ensure poor people who come to Imphal to earn their daily bread can get the opportunities of purchasing the rice while returning home.
The government is also planning to take up similar arrangements at district as well as constituency level, he added.
Replying to a question on sudden rise in the price of rice in local market, the Minister said that there is adequate stock in rice that would last for at least three months in government godowns.
In such situation, the sudden price rise in local market is full of surprise.
The Minister expressed suspicion over the possibility of businessmen hoarding rice to sell at high price taking advantage of the threats of imposing blockades along the National Highways by various social organisations.
On the plan for ensuring adequate supply of cooking gas directly to every household, the Minister observed that the government has hold seven rounds of meeting with the Gas agencies in the state to discuss the matter.
.However, in order to provide gas connections to every household, it is necessary to find out the number of gas card holders first.
The government is in the process of identifying the gas card holders.
Moreover, Home Delivery service of cooking gas would be introduced in Imphal East and Imphal West on trial basis through private companies starting from July first week, the Minister disclosed.
However, he hastened to add that he would be discussing the matter with the Union Petroleum Minister during a conference at New Delhi tomorrow.