Centre asks FCI to transport sugar to Manipur

Shillong, Apr 13 : The Centre today asked the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to find out ways and means to ensure that sugar is lifted to Manipur regularly.

The directive came in the wake of reports that FCI did not transport sugar from Dimapur in Nagaland to Manipur through the National Highway 39 via Senapati district which according to Manipur Food Commissioner P Vaiphei, the problem was due to “extortion”.

“Sugar is not coming from Dimapur to Imphal due to extortion from FCI contractors,” Vaiphei who attended the meeting of Food Secretaries North East States at Orchid Lake Resort here told Imphal Free Press.

At the meeting, Vaiphei brought to the notice of Union Food Secretary Alka Sirohi and FCI Chairman and Managing Director Siraj Hussain that sugar which has to be transported to Manipur through Dimapur did not reach regularly.

Stating that extortion is one of the main bottlenecks, Vaiphei informed that Manipur and Nagaland governments jointly used to provide security to ensure smooth transportation of the product to Manipur.

However FCI Executive Director (NE Zonal) AK Roy accused that security was not provided regularly.

The Union Food Secretary later asked Manipur government and FCI to sort out the problem and suggested using of alternative routes through Silchar in Assam via Jiribam if the need arises.

Sirohi has also assured that more money would be extended to Manipur for construction of godowns.