Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan who arrived Imphal on September 20 on a 2-day visit declared that one nation one ration card will be rolled out in 14 states for the first phase where it will be implemented across the country by June 2020.

Ram Vilas Paswan chaired a review meeting on Food Corporation of India (FCI) operations, Public Distribution System (PDS) computerization, procurement and other related matters of Northeastern states at Classic Grande, Imphal.

The union minister while addressing media during a press conference said that though FCI has enough food grains, lack of storage is the main constraint in ensuring entitled food grains to the people. While stating that only nine districts out of the total 16 districts of the state has rice godown, he urged the state government to send proposals for creation of FCI or state godown or even private godowns in every districts of Manipur as well.

The minister who will be inaugurating Food Corporation of India, godown at Bishnupur district of Manipur on September 21 also assured to complete construction of full-fledged regional FCI office at Old Assembly road, Imphal and to hand it over to the people by January next year. The FCI godown being constructed at Churachandpur district will also be completed and inaugurated as soon as possible, he asserted.

Responding to queries by media about the measures taken up by the ministry to ensure the inclusion of left out deserving beneficiaries under National Food Security Act, Ram Vilas Paswan said that there is no provision as of now but the poverty stricken and deserved families will be included as per the next economic census.

He continued that the one nation, one ration card will be rolled out in 14 states for the first phase. However, it will be implemented across the country by June 2020, added the union minister.

When enquired about any special provision of food grains for the drought hit state, he mentioned that there is already policy for the people affected by natural disasters. There is enough buffer stock of almost 56, 000 tonnes, he said and assured that the government will provide every possible aid.

During the review meeting, the minister sought active participation of all the NE states in creation of new storage capacities by identifying or offering suitable lands for construction of godowns so that the production and Public Distribution System operations go smoothly in the states. He also directed that Depot Online System of FCI should be implemented in the entire NE states.

The review meeting was also attended by CAF&PD minister, Karam Shyam; IAS, secretary (F&PD), ministry of CAF&PD, Ravikant; IAS, chairman and managing director, FCI, D.V. Prasad; food secretaries of Northeastern states and officials of CAF&PD department.