Sikkim wants TDPS quota to be hiked

Gangtok, Aug 1 (UNI) Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has urged the Centre to double the monthly quota of foodgrains released under the Targetted Public Distribution System(TPDS).

According to official sources here today Mr Chamling, during a meeting with Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Sharad Pawar at Delhi four days ago, had urged him to increase the quota from the present 3316 tons to 6,000 tonnes.

He said the state was facing acute shortage of foodgrains and the present quota of 3316 tonnes was not adequate to meet the requirement.

Mr Chamling also urged the Centre to release one time special package of 5000 tonnes of rice to overcome the problem of food shortage.

The chief minister also submitted 16 Detail Project Report to Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy during his visit to Delhi.

The project included upgradation of feeder roads and improvement of infrastructure in all the four districts of the state to cope with the requirement of rising populations and tourist flow to the state.

The Centre, the sources said, had assured Mr Chamling to sanction some of the projects immediately and take up the rest in the next financial year.

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