Imphal, August 05, 2010: Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Y Erabot has reiterated the demand to pull up and initiate punitive action against the Manipur Rifles personnel whose irresponsible act resulted in the recent devastating blaze that reduced to cinders over 30 rooms of the family line inside the 2nd MR campus.

Pointing out he along with Department officials had seized a number of containers used in illegal petrol and diesel trade, when raids were launched soon after the inferno inside the MR campus, the Minister expressed surprise over the in-action of the Government to pull up the guilty ones.

Speaking to newspersons at his New Secretariat office chamber today, Erabot claimed of receiving information that 2nd MR campus and nearby locations had been one of the sources of black-marketing of petrol and diesel fuel even before the 68 days economic blockade was imposed.

Stating that apart from discovery of petrol/diesel containers, when the raid was conducted within as well as at residences close to the security campus, the blaze started from Quarter No 22 occupied by an MT driver, the Minister described as unacceptable statement of the battalion's Commanding Officer that no illegal trade in petrol or diesel had been carried out from within 2nd MR complex.

Insisting that illegal fuel trade thrives inside the security campus, the Minister condemned the CO's assertion as an affront to the general public who had been enduring severe hardships due to shortage of petrol/diesel in the State.

observing that indulgence of security personnel, whom the masses view as their protectors from anti-social elements, in illegal trade is an unhealthy trend and is certain to dilute the image of the men in uniform as the guardian of law and order, Erabot suggested that rather than shield the guilty ones appropriate punitive action should be initiated without further delay.

Regarding measures to address problem of shortage of essential commodities particularly food grains, the Minister explained that decision to resume transport service through NH-39 had been taken in order to ensure sufficient availability of essential items for continuous reliance upon NH-53 inspite of the fact that the route is in dilapidated condition would not solve the problem at hand.

Informing that transportation of goods through the NH-39 section had resumed since yesterday, Erabot also pointed out that the State Government had been paying Rs 5000 as compensation amount to 9-metric tonne loaded vehicles that transport goods on the Imphal-Jiribam section of NH-53.Y Erabot, who is also the Commerce and Industries Minister, assessed progress of construction work of cold storage for the Food Park at Nilakuthi earlier in the day.

He also confided that plans are afoot for revival of the drug manufacturing unit as well as the Spinning Mill at Loitang Khunou.

Erabot also mentioned that Rs 1 crore would be sanctioned in connection with display/exhibition of handloom products of Manipur by Panthoibi Emporium during the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

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