IMPHAL, May 17: In what be could termed as a sigh of relief for the scarcity hit people of the state, essential commodities have started arriving in Imphal. A statement of the Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, issued by P. Vaiphei, the first consignment of 3.5 Metric tones of rice have been delivered by an Indian Air Force plane today at 5:30 pm.
It said that the same quantity of rice has been handed over immediately to the DC Imphal West and DSO, Imphal at the airport for conducting open market sale/mobile sale in the market areas in Imphal tomorrow from 9 am onwards.
The open market sale will be conducted at Kwai Bazar near Samu Makhong and Singjamei at the Government OMSS rate of 15.85 per Kg (rounded upto Rs. 16) at the scale of 5 Kg per family on production of ration cards on priority. It added that priority will be given to economically weak families/BPL card holders.
A total of 35 quintal of rice will be distributed at the open sale from 9 am to 12 noon at Khwairamband bazaar and 12:30 pm to 3:pm at Singjamei Bazaar.
The statement further said that the second consignment is scheduled to take off from Guwahati Airport tomorrow at 9am adding that a similar quantity will be immediately issued to the DC, Imphal East and DSO, Imphal East for conducting open market sale at locations in Imphal East district which includes Konung Mamang Bazaar, Lamlong Bazaar, at the same rate.
It said that the airlifting of rice from Guwahati to Imphal will be continued as per requirements. It maintained that as on date the stock available at Imphal with the government is 7683 Metric tone of rice which is sufficient to meet the requirement of the state for about a month.
The airlifting is resorted to primarily to reassure the people of the state that government will take all necessary actions to ensure availability of essential foodgrains at any cost and not because of depletion of stock. The situation arising out of the total blockade of the two national highways have caused some panic among the people which is not necessary at this stage, adds the release.
In the meantime, a number of goods laden trucks have reached Imphal through the alternative route of Guite road, said a statement of the Home Department.
It said the movement of vehicles through Silchar-Aizawl-Sinzawl and Churanchandpur has started.
On May 15 heavy vehicles (four), medium vehicles (five), light vehicles (six) reached Churachandpur transporting 200 cement bags, 28 barrels of diesel and 9 barrels of petrol. On May 16 heavy vehicles (six), medium vehicles (seven) and light vehicles (six) reached the district transporting 35 bags of sugar, 48 barrels of diesel and 31 barrels of petrol.
It said that the State Government has stationed senior officers at Aizawl and Silchar to co-ordinate induction of essential commodities through the route.
Further, it also informed that a consignment of life saving drugs/medicines of about 8 metric tones reached Imphal today by air cargo of Logistic Post. It asserted that the state government is making an co-ordinated effort to ensure availability of drugs/medicines and other essential commodities in public interest.
~ Imphal Free Press
Rice and other provisions begin arriving by military planes and NH-150
