The 5000 MT godown of Food Corporation of India at Mayangkhang in Senapati district has been made store-worthy and will be inaugurated by the Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prof KV Thomas on November 13. The availability of the godown for food grain storage will be a major relief for the state as the current storage capacity of FCI of 29,590 MT still stands at a shortage of 10,000 MT. Although, the FCI is engaged in a continuous process to augment the storage capacity of food grains mainly through construction of storehouses with assistance from the state machinery, lack of infrastructure is still the major impediment that is holding back the state from implementing the National Food Security Act. Fearing the ignominy of a debacle in implementing the NAFSA, the state government has stressed on the need to counter the inertia and pick up the work for the construction of the remaining FCI godowns in the districts of Imphal East, Bishnupur, Churachanpur, Chandel, Thoubal and Tamenglong as well the one in Jiribam. Clearly, the state is banking on the FCI to deliver the requirements of storehouses.
On the other hand, Manipur’s mediocre road connectivity has been a challenge in ferrying food grains and other essential items into the state and extreme problems are expected to be created during the induction of huge load of food grains that will be required during the execution of NAFSA. Subsequently, the state requires godowns to hold the huge quality of food grains. We cannot forget the facts that the state is prone to food scarcity during long blockades as well as frequent disruptions in replenishment of the godowns due to recurrent bandhs. Such dire circumstances have arisen during times of natural calamity like landslides accompanied by slow restoration of road connectivity which are very common in the region during rainy seasons. Citing the same reasons, Manipur’s minister for CAF&PD Moirangthem Okendro had highlighted the need for construction of godowns in interior locations including Tousem, Tamei, Parbung which usually get cut-off for long periods during the Monsoon and had sought support from the Centre in accomplishment of the goal. The inadequacy of storehouse is a hurtful reality as it had brought about the ineffectiveness of the Public Distribution System in Manipur and now gets ready to sabotage the introduction of NAFSA. The hopes of around 23.87 lakhs people from the state eager to become a recipient of the largest social welfare programme of the world within the targeted time rest on the generosity of the Centre and prompt completion of its godowns by the FCI.