NFSA rice shortage likely to ease in Ukhrul

Mungchan Zimik.
Ukhrul, Jan 23: The prolonged shortage of NFSA rice is likely ease following the intervention of Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul.
Conducting an independent investigation on the persistent complaints on shortage of NFSA rice and the inflated price of NFSA rice being charged on the consumers in Ukhrul, it came to light that the absence of FCS godown in Ukhrul to store and distribute the same to the consumers is one big factor.
Conventionally, Ukhrul FPS agents have been directly lifting their monthly rice qoutas from the FCI depot, Ukhrul.
However the guidelines of FCI forbid the FPS agents direct access to the FCI depot.
FPS agents are denied entry to the depot and not allowed to measure and this led to shortage of NFSA rice for the agents which is to be distributed to the consumers.
Consequently, FPS agents were unable to deliver the full rice quota to the consumers and the little they get had to be charged above the actual rate.
Meanwhile, P Awungshi  president of Dungrei Women Society, Hungpung Ukhrul lauded the DC for with his intervention they are able to get the entitled NFSA rice quota at Rs 3 per kg at their doorstep.
P Awungshi said that after the introduction of NFSA in the district, distribution of rice under National Food Security Act (NFSA) at the rate of Rs 3 per kg now reach every individual for the first time. Moreover each individual is entitled to 5 kg of rice per month.
Earlier the FPS agents charged more than Rs 3 per Kg and there was deduction of the rice quota in every monthly distribution for every individual.
Newly appointed FPS agents of Ukhrul have urged authority concerned to immediately build an FCS godown in Ukhrul town  so that agents do not have to depend on the FCI depot.