FCI Regional Office inaugurated: Thomas plays the NFSA card to good effect
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22 2014 : Union Minister of CAF & PD, Prof KV Thomas today inaugurated a Regional Office of Food Corporation of India (FCI) at the Old Assembly Complex here.

The inaugural ceremony of the FCI Regional Office was attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi, Dy CM Gaikhangam, CAF & PD Minister M Okendro and Chairman cum Managing Director of FCI, C Vishwanath.

Speaking at the occasion, Prof KV Thomas said that the newly inaugurated Regional Office would play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of National Food Security Act and ensuring essential food items to the people of the State.

Observing that the people of the State face several problems due to lack of transport infrastructure, Prof KV Thomas said that it is essential to improve the transport system for the fruitful implementation of NFSA.

Since July 2010, rice has been transshipped along NH-37 with security escort.

Other than Jiribam, there is no other godown with railway siding facility in the State, the Minister noted.

Union Minister of CAF and PD lighting the inaugural lamp

Saying that the State has now godowns with storage capacity of 22,000 MT food grains which is estimated to last for only two months, the Minister also said that project for doubling the storage capacity is in the pipeline.

He said that spade work for setting up of the same has been initiated.

Mentioning that a godown was inaugurated in Senapati last year and construction of godowns is in progress in Ccpur and Thoubal districts, Prof Thomas said construction of godowns would also commence immediately once the Govt completes land acquiring process in respect of Imphal East and Bishnupur districts.

Chief Minister O Ibobi while speaking at the function said that the NFSA would be implemented in the State this year.

The lack of granary would pose a challenge in NFSA implementation as it is essential to stockpile food grains that could last for at least six months.

He also said that construction of phase-I FCI godown at Jiribam has been completed.

The Chief Minister also urged the Union Minister to study the feasibility of constructing the Phase-II of FCI granary at Jiribam in such a way that it advantages the Malom Rail feed.

Asserting that construction of 400 KV Power line into the State would be completed before the onset of monsoon, O Ibobi also said that the Prime Minister has been urged to replace the Makru and Barak bridges with RCC.

The Regional Office inaugurated today is the 25th such office of the FCI across the country.

Chairman cum Managing Director of FCI, C Bishwanath said that the inauguration of the Regional Office here today marked the first event of the FCI Golden Jubilee celebration.

Among others, O Ibobi's Council of Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and concerned officials have also attended the inaugural programme.