Steps taken to release NFSA rice: Susindro
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 21 2024:
After several months of hiatus, the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD) Department has taken up measures to release pending rice allocation, after the CAF&PD minister L Susindro visited the FCI warehouse at Sangaiprou and discussed the matter with officials concerned on Thursday.
The minister visited the warehouse and assessed the situation there along with department staff.
Interacting with the media, the minister revealed that the department was not able to distribute the rice allocation for some months due to certain threats.
He also said that the recent incident of some altercation over loading of rice occurred owing to misunderstanding and the matter has been resolved and normal operation resumed on Wednesday itself.
Elaborating on the threat, the minister said that some unknown persons have been threatening FCI managers, staff and transporters of dire consequences if they release rice allocation and resume normal operation.
As a result, there is no truck driver and labourer in the warehouse, he said while urging all concerned to refrain from such acts and resolve any issue through peaceful means.
Susindro further said that the department has made necessary security measures to ensure resumption of normal operation.
Even if transport contractors could not provide trucks for the operation, local MLAs, their workers or agents may arrange alternate transportation and labourers for the time being, he stressed.
While stating that all measures are taken up in the interest of the people, who have been deprived of the monthly ration for several months, Susindro appealed to all concerned to cooperate with the department in the larger interest of the common people.
He also said that the department might take up initiatives to set up open stall, from where beneficiaries with ration cards can get their share, if the current measures fail to address the issue.