Transporters adopt hawkish stand against FCI GM order
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 12 2012:
Demanding revocation of the 'movement order' issued by the General Manager of Food Corporation of India Regional Office (Nagaland/Manipur Region) with regard to shipment of the June quota of PDS items from the Dimapur godown, Transporters and Drivers' Council (TDC) has asserted that it would bar unloading of the PDS items at Sangaiprou and Koirengei godowns if the 'movement order' is not rectified within June 16 .
TDC will launch agitation from June 18 onward if the General Manager does not annul the earlier order for transportation of Manipur's quota of rice, sugar and wheat with a fresh 'movement order' that provides same quantity of PDS items for shipment through the Dimapur-Imphal and Jiribam-Imphal routes.
Speaking to The Sangai Express today, TDC general secretary Ng Haridas confided that the entire quantity of PDS item (June quota) allotted to Jiribam FCI godown has already been brought to Manipur by June 10 .
Drawing the attention of the FCI Regional Office General Manager Amenla T Sato, Haridas proposed that additional 'movement quota' be allotted for Jiribam godown in order to facilitate transportation of essential commodities to prevent shortage of food items normally faced during the rainy season.
As the FCI authorities have been insisting that all possible measures are being taken to ensure sufficient stocking of PDS items such as rice, sugar and wheat to tackle any eventualities food item allotment to the Jiribam storage facility should not be reduced, asserted the secretary.
informing that the current stock position of PDS items at Sangaiprou godown will be exhausted in case bandh or blockade for a slightly lengthy period is imposed, Haridas further opined that such a scenario could be redressed suitably only when additional shipment of PDS items is sanctioned.
Asking Dimapur-based FCI authorities to act in sync with the sentiment and aspiration of the people of Manipur, he also suggested that the Government of Manipur take relevant measures to set up a Regional Office exclusively for Manipur here in Imphal.
It is pertinent to mention that the 'movement order' issued by General Manager Amenla had provided 2500 metric tonne rice and 500 MT wheat for May month and 300 MT rice and 450 MT wheat for June, to Jiribam godown for shipment through the Imphal-Jiribam route compared for june allocation of 7500 MT rice, 2000 MT wheat and 1500 MT sugar for lifting from the Dimapur godown on the Imphal-Dimapur route.
Such a disparity in the allocation to the said godowns is being strongly opposed by the TDC and another transport agency.
Haridas also pointed out that two transport agencies were involved in lifting PDS items from Jiribam godown till April this year but fresh appointment effected recently has left Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association as the sole contractor ship in the goods.
Questioning on what ground the General Manager had drastically cut the Jiribam provision/quota, he also conveyed that TDC will not be dismayed if GM cites more carriage capacity on the broad gauge rail-line in Dimapur for hiking the allocation to Dimapur godown but citing poor road condition of the Imphal-Jiribam route for trimming the Jiribam allocation will not be acceptable or justifiable.
Haridas further explained that if there is any damage to vehicles or loss of goods while plying on the Imphal-Jiribam the FCI do not bear the responsibility but it is the obligation of the contractor concerned to ensure well-being of the transporters.
He also reminded that when Manipur was reeling under acute shortage of essential commodities consequent to the prolonged economic blockade in 2010, TDC took the initiative to bring in PDS items and other essential commodities with the truckers of Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association.
Even though TDC and the Association members/truckers were at the forefront of effectively tackling the food and fuel shortage crisis in Manipur such bold acts had enhanced the FCI reputation, he said while asserting that FCI should endeavour to sustain healthy relationship rather than acting in a biased manner.
Ridiculing contention in certain section that prompt clearance of the Jiribam rail wagons have created food shortage in Mizoram, Haridas asserted that the truck owners should be awarded for their swift action.
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