Imphal, Aug 11 : The state government has recently agreed to provide one-time grant of Rs. 5 crores for the procurement of rice for maintaining a buffer stock in view of the expected scarcity of the staple food in the state due to this year’s inadequate monsoon rains.
Stating this, a highly placed official source mentioned that the recent Cabinet meeting had already approved maintaining of a buffer stock of rice in the state and for renovation of existing godowns in different districts of the state to keep the required rice.
The source further mentioned that a total of 78,870 quintals of rice including 22,270 quintals for AAY, 34,780 quintals for BPL and 21,820 quintals for APL have been earmaked to be kept as buffer stocks by the state FCS department. The department has already intimated the concerned DCs to arrange transportation on their own from Imphal to their respective districts.
In respect of 10 Public Distribution Centres including Churachandpur and Parbung, Senapati and Paomata, Chandel and Tengnoupal, Ukhrul and Kamjong, Tamenglong and New Kaiphundai the transportation cost will be reimbursed by the FCS department.
Apart from this, the state government has also released another Rs. 90 lakhs for the renovation of the existing godown at Koirengei to increase the storage capacity and also for the installation of one 40 Mt electronic weight bridge there, the source added.