AGARTALA, Oct 21 � Alarmed at the dwindling stock of rice in Tripura, the State government has decided to approach the Centre seeking additional consignments of rice to the landlocked State.
Talking to reporters at the Civil Secretariat here on Tuesday, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bhanu Lal Saha said the rice stock has reduced from 90 to 80 days in the State after suspension of rail service.
"There is an urgent need to improve the rice stock to avoid food crisis in the State. After exploring all aspects, the government has decided to request the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs to send additional consignments of rice," he said.
The government has already requested the Centre to send at least one more consignment of 10,000 MT of rice through Bangladesh, he said adding that the State is supposed to receive 70 vehicles loaded with rice everyday but currently 7-12 trucks are coming to the State.
Meanwhile, transshipment of the second consignment of foodgrain to the State from Andhra Pradesh being sent via Bangladesh, has started on Monday. The second consignment has already reached Ashuganj port in Bangladesh in three small ships from Vishakhapatnam.
The consignment is being brought to the State through Ashuganj port of Bangladesh to avoid the long and mountainous surface road up to Tripura via Assam and Meghalaya.
