IMPHAL, March 25: The Assam FCI authorities have not taken any appropriate steps to transport food grains from Silchar to Imphal along the Imphal-Jiribam Road, NH-37, even the lapse of more than 30 days from the date Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan committed to the Manipur people to have this done during his visit to Imphal, said All Manipur Road Transport Drivers`™ and Motor Workers`™ Union.
According to the official sources of the Union, even after Paswan has assured to conduct fresh e-tender for transportation of food grains from Silchar to Imphal at Regional Office Imphal within 30 days, nothing has moved.
Paswan had assured to have a full-fledge Regional Officer at Regional Office Imphal. He had also instructed the FCI officials to look into the needs of truck drivers of the State regarding transportation of goods from Jiribam to Imphal.
Unfortunately, even after 30 days after the Union Minister gave his commitment everything remains as it were before his Imphal visit, they said. Since the month of September 2014 the transporters, truckers and drivers of Manipur have been facing great hardship in meeting the everyday needs of their families, they said.
The Union Minister had assured to deposit the food grains meant for Manipur at Jiribam once the mega broad gauge Lamding to Silchar rail line was completed in March. However, even after this line from has become functional, the promise is still not kept, they said.
Citing continued neglect of the plight of the truck drivers and owners by FCI officials, the Union has decided to closed down the FSD, Sangaiporou and FSD Koirengei unless the process of E-tender which is now under process at FCI Assam Region is not stopped forthwith and necessary steps to hold the E-tender at the Regional Office Imphal under the supervision of a full-fledge Regional Officer, they said.
The Union officials also said a written memorandum has been submitted to Union Minister of CAF and PD Government of India to initiate immediate implementation of the grievances of Manipur truckers.