Shillong, Sept 21: Foodgrain wholesalers have agreed to source stocks from Shillong, putting an end to the month-long disruption of supply to West Khasi Hills region due to blockage of trucks to the Pyndengrei FCI depot in Nongstoin.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Methodius Dkhar on Monday reviewed the situation with wholesalers of West Khasi Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills along with the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills and officials of FCI and Food and Civil Supplies department.
“For the last one month, there was disruption at Pyndengrei FCI godown in Nongstoin, from where we supply to three districts. We had directed wholesalers to temporarily lift from Shillong and Sohryngkham,” Dkhar said.
He admitted that West Khasi Hills wholesalers flagged high transportation cost and long distance.
“We had a comprehensive discussion today and we have requested them to lift the September allocation from Shillong, Sohryngkham or even Williamnagar if it is nearer. They have agreed to lift the pending quota this week,” he said.
The Minister said villagers will get their quota soon as some areas have not received foodgrains for a month due to the impasse.Explaining the cause, Dkhar said the village dorbar had objected to heavy vehicles using the link road to the FCI depot.
“The village head and committee felt that big trucks would damage the road from the main road to the depot at Pyndengrei. There were efforts from PWD and our department to ensure maintenance, but apprehension remained and trucks were stopped. That is the only reason,” he said.
He added that the department is engaging with the dorbar to repair and strengthen the road and resume supply to Pyndengrei.
