Food Ministers Conference Okendro raises many issues to make NFSA effective in State
Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Information Centre
New Delhi, October 02 2013:
Participating in the Conference of Food Ministers of States and Union Territories on National Food Security Act 2013 held yesterday at AP Shinde Symposium Hall, NASC Complex, ICAR, Pusa here, Manipur Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution M Okendro drew the attention of the Centre by placing many issues for effective implementation of the National Food security Act in Manipur.
He said, " This Conference is very important as it provides all States a common platform to bring up issues we have in our effort to implement the National Food security Act 2013 effectively" .
He stated that the Government of India had intimated that 23.87 lakhs population which was 87 pc of the total population of 27.22 lakhs as per 2011 census would be covered under the Act.
The family size of Manipur was 5.05 persons as per 2011 census and the coverage was 4.77 lakh families including 63,000 AAY families.
Manipur presently had 5,41,920 households with 3,76,920 APL, 1,02,400 BPL and 63,600 AAY households.
The Minister mentioned that the annual requirement of foodgrains for Manipur was 1.71 lakhs MT as against the proposed annual allocation of 1.51 lakhs MT fixed by the Centre.
He also demanded the Centre to increase the annual allocation of foodgrains for Manipur either rising of the annual allocation or through provision of additional and adhoc allocations for rice and wheat on monthly basis.
Okendra stated that the existing storage capacity in Manipur was 29,590 MT only and there was shortage of about 10,000 MT, He urged the Centre for completion of the on-going construction of godowns as well as construction of godowns in the districts and interior areas.
He requested the Centre for providing one-time financial support for construction of 2700 Fair Price Shops buildings in Manipur.
He also requested the Centre for providing one-time financial support for procurement of transportation vehicles with GPS tracking system for PDS including door step delivery.
The Minister stated that trained personnel and additional staff would be required to make the efforts effective.
He drew the attention of the Centre for considering financial support to help Manipur in expanding and improvement the manpower of the State Department with the required expertise through creation of centrally funded posts, recruitment and training.
The Minister said that at present, Rs 100 was levied per quintal to meet transportation and handling charges from State Godowns to PDCs and PDSCs.
In addition, Rs 65 was levied as FPS commission.
Then with the implementation of the Act, the State Government would be mandated to reach the consumers at the subsidized rate of Rs 1/-.Rs 2/- and Rs 3/- per kg to the household beneficiaries.
Considering the acute financial constraints of the State Government, the Minister requested for considering 100 pc central funding of transportation and handling charges and FPS commission at the State's existing rates or any higher revised rates, either through annual grants in the beginning of the financial year or through monthly re-imbursements of the actual expenditures on very regular basis without any delay.
He also drew the attention of the Centre for allocation of sugar and S K Oil through PDS under National Food Security Act on the basis of the existing household of 2011 Census.
The Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Y.Thamkishore accompanied the Minister in the Conference.
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