Ram Vilas Paswan reviews Implementation of Food Security Act’s implementation in North East

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution today reviewed Targeted Public Distribution System in the Mega-Block affected states of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura with the senior officers of the concerned State Govts, Railways and Food Corporation of India in Imphal. The Minister directed the officials that all efforts should be taken to ensure adequate supply of foodgrains in the region. The state representatives informed that there is sufficient stocks for TPDS beneficiaries for about 70-90 days . The monthly requirement of these states is 82744 MT for which storage capacity of 126443 MTs is available with FCI against which FCI is having stock of 1,19,000 MTs food grains in various godowns. The Minister assured that the supply of the food grains will not allowed to be affected because of Lumding –Sichar Broad-guage conversion. FCI is transporting about 85000 MTs per month to these four states by road from various BG terminals in and around Guwahati. Railway officers during the meeting assured the Minister that the Broad-guage conversion on Lumding –Silchar section will be completed by March,2015. The Minister also reviewed the preparatory work for the implementation of National Food Security Act in the states of Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram during the meeting. Computerisation of data has been completed 90 % in Mizoram and Tripura while Manipur has done 77% and Assam 62%. Assam and Tripura informed that they will be ready to roll out the Act in June,2015 while Manipur informed they will implement the Act by July 2015. The Minister directed FCI officials to look into the grievances of Manipur truck drivers regarding transportation from Jiribam to Imphal .