GUWAHATI, May 29 - Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan has directed the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to coordinate closely with all state governments of the north-eastern region and ensure supply of sufficient foodgrains during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown.
Paswan reviewed the pan-India operations, including the north-eastern zone, of FCI through video conferencing on Thursday, said an official statement.
Paswan appreciated the coordination between FCI and the state governments of the North East during the current lockdown, the statement said, adding that no short supply or non-supply of foodgrains was reported from any of the states. The Union Minister directed FCI to have close coordination with all state governments and ensure sufficient foodgrain supply. FCI (officials) assured that sufficient grains are available in the FCI godowns in all states of the North East, the statement further said.
Since the commencement of lockdown and till date, a record 321 foodgrain rakes have been received in the north-eastern states, inducting a total quantum of 9.05 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of foodgrains in the region. During this period, around 10 lakh MT of foodgrains had been lifted by the NE states under various schemes.
