IMPHAL, November 8: Union Minister of state (independent charge) Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution, K V Thomas, today inaugurated an FCI Godown having a capacity of 5000 matric tones at Mayangkhang Senapati.
The inaugural function was attended by Lok Sabha MP, Thangso Baite; Minister for Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD), GOM, M Okendro; Rural Development Minister, Francis Ngajokpa; and MLAs Dr V Alexandar Pau, Dikho Mao, MLA Nemcha Kipgen, V Valte, DK Korungthang and Ng Bijoy.
Addressing the gathering, KV Thomas informed that a regional office of FCI will be opened in Imphal adding that Prime Minister of India will soon make the official announcement.
He divulged that the Government of India has started a massive exercise to implement Food Security Bill within the current five year plan. To capacitate the implementation of the Act more godowns capable of storing food grains for four months stock will be established.
The Union Minister further informed that the FCI has prepared special plan and the same has been approved for implementation all over India. Under this plan the total capacity of FCI godowns will reach 568.17 crore Matric Tones out of which 5.40 Lakhs MT will be in the Northeast region and 45,000 MT in Manipur. There will be no shortage of fund and construction can begin once the land is allotted.
While referring to the newly inaugurated godowns of Mayangkhang, he asserted that he had advised the GM of FCI to include a provision for installing Solar Panel, rain water harvesting system.
Meanwhile, KV Thomas disclosed that during his meeting with the Chief Minister of Manipur he had assured stringent action if hoarding of inferior food grains is noticed.
CAF&PD Minister, Okendro in his speech, sought the intervention of the Union Minister for providing additional godowns to store enough stock for the state while highlighting various factors like frequent disturbances along the National Highway, natural calamities etc.
He also appealed the Minister to provide one time project with frieght trucks with GPS, to establish for adequate fair price shop etc.
The total cost of the FCI Godown which has three chambers is reported to be Rs 7.9 crores.
The godown was constructed under the TP CELL HILL-II under RCS office Government of Manipur and handed over to the FCI January last.