National

Oil tanker protest adds to food crisis

Guwahati: Even though the Mizoram government is keeping 12,000 tonnes of rice in godowns, a stock sufficient for a month, transportation to interior areas of the State, affected by a food crisis, has been disrupted by fuel shortage.

For, oil tanker operators are refusing to ply alleging collection of excess taxes by officials in Assam.

The Mizoram government drew up a contingency plan to transport rice ahead of monsoon, in the wake of the food crisis caused by mautam or bamboo flowering.

(This phenomenon occurs at an interval of 47-50 years and results in destruction of crops by rodents and other insects attracted by the flowers.)

But in the last four days, only six tankers brought petrol and diesel to the State against a daily requirement of 20 tankers each with a capacity of 12,000 litres, T.B.C. Rozara, Commissioner, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, told The Hindu on Thursday.

Oil tanker association representatives alleged that transport officials in Assam were demanding Rs. 1,500- 2,000 from each driver while handing him a receipt for Rs. 750.

“Some tanker drivers complain that the motor vehicle inspectors are demanding Rs 2,000-Rs 4,000,” the official said.

The Mizoram government has taken up the matter with the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Cachar district of the neighbouring State.

It has also requested the Centre to allow the State to procure 3,000 tonnes of rice from the market at Rs. 1,445 a quintal.

The total Mizoram population, according to the 2001 census, was 8,91,958. Now there are 2,28,547 families having ration cards and the State’s total monthly requirement of PDS rice is about 15,000 tonnes.

However, as the monthly quota is fixed at 6,640 tonnes, the State government has to buy 8,360 tonnes from the market, according to Mr. Rozara.

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