IMPHAL, October 7: The government of Manipur has sought three months`™ time to implement the National Food Security Act. This is due to non-completion of warehouses which are being constructed for storing food-grains.
According to an official source of the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution minister, M Okendro, the minister called on Ram Vilas Pawas, who is the Minister of State (independent in charge) of CAF & PD, at his office chamber in New Delhi today.
It said during the meeting, M Okendro explained to Ram Vilas that the State is not yet ready to implement the said Act.
He said that there are shortages of warehouses in the State, and to meet the shortages, construction works are being taken up at Thoubal and Churachandpur districts. The source further said construction sites for warehouses of Imphal East, Bishnupur, Tamenglong and Chandel districts have already been allocated to the FCI authorities by the State. At present, Imphal West, Senapati and Ukhrul districts already have their FCI warehouses, the minister informed Ram Vilas, according to the source.
The source continued that Ram Vilas has given consent to Okendro`™s request regarding the extension of three month period to implement the National Food Security Act. It said Ram Vilas has assured assistance to overcome the shortcomings of the State CAF & PD department.
Okendro also apprised the Union Minister that in order to implement the Act, there are pending works like selection of beneficiaries and data digitization etc. The State would require Rs 4 crore per month, which will be difficult to bear. And accordingly, M Okendro requested the minister that the centre should help in bearing the said amount of money, the source said.
It may be mentioned that if the Act is implemented, the State would require 1.58 MT of food grains per year. Each beneficiary will get 5kg of food grains per month at a lower price. The price of rice will be Rs 3 per kg, Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 1 per kg for dal. The targeted beneficiaries will be 87 per cent of the total State population, according to the source.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/state-seeks-3-months-time-to-implement-food-security-act/