FCS minister refutes charges of rice non-availability

IMPHAL, feb 1: FCS minister Y Irabot has denied the recent charge laid on him and his officials by Wungnaoshang Keishing, MLA from Phungyar, about the non-availability of rice under PDS in their constituency and said the charge was baseless, during a press meet held today at his office chamber.

He further said that due to the threat from militants on the Food Corporation of India and problems on the roads the rice was not available to the whole of Manipur till now. Talking about the unavailable quota of November, December and January, he said for the month of November including all APL, BPL and AAY the quantity was 14694.18236 quintals, for December 49654.32285 quintals and for January 143218.50524 quintals.

He added that for the said amount of rice they have deposited Rs. 8,10,72,387.15 with the FCI which was borrowed form RBI and still they are giving interest of Rs. 28,319.80 per day to the RBI.

Regarding the matter, he has sent a paper to Sharad Pawar, Union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution requesting his intervention in the matter for taking appropriate action in timely supply of state quota of food grains to Manipur and also to build up buffer stock of rice for at least three months at the FCI depot in Imphal before the onset of the rainy season, he said.