Manipur demands more rice, adequate storage capacity facility

Imphal, Jul 6 (UNI) Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said there was shortage of rice of about 5.43 lakh tonne in the state and urgerd the Centre to look into the matter.

He raised this during a meeting of chief ministers of Congress ruled states in Delhi recently.

According to an information received here the Chief Minister also raised the issue of inadequate storage capacity of food and oil in the state.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) was supposed to provide rice directly to the district headquarters. However it was provided only to Ukhrul district.

Mr Singh urged the Centre to provide rice at the sub-divisional level so that people can freely get it.

The chief minister said inadeqaute storage capacity of food and oil created problem for the state as frequent strikes on the national highways disrupt import of food articles. He said the storage capacity has to be upgraded and the lack of rail head at Imphal makes it more practical to increase the storage capacity.

The storage capacity for petrol was 17 days, diesel 25 days and kerosne 30 days. The chief minister also discussed the issue of health facilities later with the union health minister Ramados.

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