IMPHAL, June 26 � About 70 State oil tankers, which left here to procure fuel from Assam, are reportedly missing. The State Home department is likely to seek the help of the Assam Government in tracing out the missing tankers, said Manipur Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Yumkham Erabot.
Erabot informed reporters here that a total of 70 oil tankers transporting petroleum products have gone missing in Assam. The State Home department has been asked to take up necessary action to take help from the Government of Assam in finding out the missing oil tankers.
Around 100 oil tankers are used for procuring petroleum products, like petrol, high speed diesel and ATF, as per registration in the Imphal IOC office. The State is facing problems in procuring vehicle fuels as the tankers have gone missing, Erabot claimed.
Confirming that there is indeed a shortage of petrol and diesel in the State, Erabot revealed that the present stock of petrol and diesel will last for three to five days.
He also stated that the present stock of rice in the State will last for only one month and added that at present a total of 1.7 lakh quintal of rice is in the stock of the department�s godown against the monthly requirement of 88,000 quintals.
The Minister said that the State Government is planning to buy 5,000 metric tons of rice from Thailand to replenish the stock. The rice to be bought from Thailand will cost Rs 14 to Rs 15 per kg after adding transportation charge.
Meanwhile, a senior citizens� body has urged the Manipur Government to immediately work for setting up a highway protection force and deploy them permanently on the National Highways.
Speaking to media persons here recently, senior advocate Khaidem Mani of the Senior Citizens for Society also endorsed peoples� demand of making the NH-53 a lifeline of the people of the State but urged not to abandon NH-39 as only one highway is not enough for procurement of essential commodities for the State.
