Imphal, February 14 2009: The huge quantity of APL rice (Super Fine grade A) seized by FCS Minister Y Erabot along with six trucks from a private godown located at Mantripukhri on February 12 are not related to FCI, said FCI district office Area Manager A Tombi.

Speaking to media persons at FCI district office at Moirangkhom here today, Tombi said that the rice was lifted from Sangaiprou FCI godown by a Storekeeper who is an authorised agent of FCS Department with necessary documents after completing all official formalities.

Altogether 6306.81 quintals of rice were issued from FCI godown in 41 trucks to FCS authorised representatives (Storekeepers) on producing complete documents and fulfilling necessary formalities on February 12 .

According to information received by press, rice seized by the FCS Minister on the same day (February 12) was meant for Sadar Hills area.

Of this total quantity of rice issued on February 12, 1796.70 quintals were for APL and 3085.67 quintals for BPL.

Further 1424.42 quintals of rice was issued to DC Chandel as additional adhoc relief for those affected by bamboo flowering for the month of February.

The 1002.44 quintals of rice seized by the FCS Minister from Mantripukhri was a part of the 1796.70 quintals of APL rice issued from FCI godown to FCS storekeeper on the day, said the Area Manager.

Of the six trucks which transported the 1002.44 quintals of APL rice, the truck with number MN01/4331 loaded the 166.28 quintals of rice from shed no 1/2, truck with no MN05/2757 loaded 165.49 quintals from shed no 3/4, truck no MN04/8213 loaded 165.97 quintals from shed number 5/6, truck with number MN05/2435 loaded 165.17 quintals from shed no 5/6 and trucks with numbers MN04A/0055 and MN01/6317 loaded 165.13 quintals and 174.37 quintals respectively from shed no 7/8.This rice was lifted by FCS storekeepers B Birjit and P Iboyaima through proper channel/formality.

As such, the rice seized by the FCS Minister was not related to FCI but to FCS.

The Area Manager also decried the reported incrimination of FCI by the FCS Minister in connection with the rice seizure.

The monthly allocation of rice for Manipur provided by the Government of India under Public Distribution System is 78870 quintals for APL, BPL and AAY, 2798.93 quintals for Mid-Day Meal scheme, 15000 quintals for additional adhoc relief for people affected by bamboo flowering, 280 quintals of rice and 120 quintals of wheat for hostels and other welfare institutes under WIN scheme, 858.30 quintals for Ana Purna scheme and annual allocation of 4040 quintals of rice under Village Grant Bank scheme, elaborated Tombi adding that these quantities of rice for different schemes were issued from FCI to FCS Director.

Following an appeal, the State Government was granted permission to lift rice and 800 quintals of sugar from Dimapur in December last.

But the State Government could not bring a single truck load, he disclosed.

He further informed that works have been initiated to store buffer stock (of rice) for three months in FCI godown provided there is no bandh or blockade on highways.

Transportation of the State's share of rice for November, December last year and for January this year which could not be transported from Dimapur and had got lapsed due to 146 days of bandh/blockade last year has been started, he said.

At present, 21710 quintals of rice are in stock at FCI godowns.

These include 4780 quintals in Sangaiprou godown, 14080 quintals in Ukhrul godown and 2850 quintals in Jiribam godown, the Area Manager informed while asserting that the FCI is working to supply adequate quantity of rice to FCS godowns.

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