Centre increases Mizoram rice quota

Aizawl, Apr 14 (UNI) The Centre has decided to increase Mizoram's rice quota to 5845 MT per month from this month following the state government's persuasion.

Official sources said here today that state Education Minister Dr R Lalthangliana met the officials of the Union Ministry of Food and Consumers Affairs and requested them to increase the rice quota, insisting that wheat was of no use as the staple food of Mizoram was rice.

The Minister even urged the officials to come to Mizoram and take measures to combat "Mautam" (famine) effectively.

Meanwhile, the Aizawl District Congress Committee has come down heavily on Food Minister K Sangthuama, saying that despite the minister's statement in the recently concluded budget session that Mizoram had enough stock of rice, the state has run out of rice stock.

Earlier, the Centre has provided 4826 MT rice to Mizoram.

UNI