Rice crisis hits Mizoram

Aizawl, Apr 18 (UNI) Rice shortage has gripped Mizoram even before the onset of monsoon, despite the government's assurance that the state has enough rice to last the whole year.

Congress MLA R Lalzirlian today said, ''Mizoram has run out of rice stock. What is left in the market, costs as high as Rs 20 per kg. This is totally in contrast to the Governor Republic Day speech where he stated that rice had been stocked in all supply centres in the state, enough to last the whole year.'' ''The MNF government should immediately utilise Bamboo Flowering and Famine Combat Scheme(BAFFACOS) funds to procure at least 4,000 MT - 5000 MT of rice to combat the crisis in the state,'' Mr Lalrinliana said.

Explaining the crisis situation, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs joint director T Rochhunga said, ''Mizoram's monthly rice allotment was 6,810 MT until April last year when it was reduced to 2,446 MT. Since the new allotment was far less than our requirement, we procured an additional 3,000 MT monthly through an Open Market Scheme(OMS) for the whole of last year. The present crisis hit when the OMS was cancelled from this April.

A few days back, an official statement said that the Centre had agreed to increase the state rice allotment to 5,845 MT per month with effect from April.

Officials of the concerned department had a meeting with their minister K Sangthuama yesterday overlooking the present situation.

The minister announced, ''Thanks to the chief minister's efforts, measures have been taken so that people can purchase rice at the lowest possible price.

''Purchasing from the FCI at Rs 1,395 per quintal and then selling to retailers at Rs 935 per quintal, so people can buy it at Rs 9.50 per kilo, results in the government incurring a loss of Rs 565 per quintal,'' he added.

The Food minister reassured the people that the situation will be overcome soon.

UNI