FCI refutes Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association allegations
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 11 2011:
Deputy General Manager of FCI, Ksh Thoiba has refuted the report alleging that a rice laden truck coming from FCI godown, Jiribam did not unload the content but submitted a challan as baseless.
Talking to mediapersons here today, DGM Thoiba asserted that all the allegations levelled against FCI by the president of Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association are baseless and unfounded.
After an investigation by a committee comprising three officials, it has been found that the truck (MN-03T/0381) did unload the rice content at the Sangaiprou godown of FCI on July 7, Thoiba informed, adding that still then, further investigation is on.
With regard to the allegation made through media by Zimomi Traders, which is a contractor under FCI, that two trucks (MN-01/7743 and MN01-8112) sold off rice at Jiribam and brought Cement bags, the DGM maintained that FCI never encourage such fishy dealings.
Whether it be truckers, contractors or staff of FCI, there would be leniency and necessary action would be taken up against anyone who is found involved in such dealings.
If the truckers were found involved, then the contractors concerned would be blacklisted, the DGM said.The DGM clarified that Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association or the Zimomi Traders are two contractors under FCI engaged for the purpose of lifting rice and sugar.
Adequate transportation charge is being given to them and no instruction have been ever given to either of them to transport any items other than rice and sugar.
Unlike previous years, FCI has been able to keep adequate stock of rice in the State during the month of June/July.
All these have been possible after the FCI requested the Railways for transportation of State quota of the rice upto Jiribam and the State Government deployed adequate security along the National Highway 53, the DGM said, adding that out of around 1.38 metric tonne of rice lifted since January to June this year, 1.31 metric tonne had already been supplied to the State Government.
FCI does not take any complaint/allegation, whether it comes through RTI, telephone or through written, lightly.
In fact, whether there is transparency in the operation of FCI is being monitored from time to time by inviting some agencies like CBI, the officer disclosed.
The DGM further informed that staff in FCI have been encountering difficulties after the Supreme Court order of limiting the load to be carried by a truck to 9 metric tonne contrary to the earlier norm of carrying upto 18/19 metric tonne in accordance to the type of the trucks.
In response to a question, the DGM informed that project proposal for construction of godowns at Thoubal, Pallel and Churachandpur have already been submitted.
As for Senapati, the construction work is nearing completed and the godown would be ready for use before the end of the current year.
The DGP of Manipur Police has already been approached for arresting any trucker carrying rice if they were found indulging in unwanted activities.
Both the transporters and contractors also need to monitor the activities of the truckers closely so as to avoid tarnishing the image of FCI, the DGM added.