Roing, Nov 24: Arunachal Pradesh would soon get yet another divisional office of the Food Corporation of India, this was announced by top FCI official at a meeting with Union Minister of State, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhania, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution during her visit to Roing recently.
The process for establishment of the FCI’s second divisional office at Pasighat has already started and would be made operational soon to cater to eastern districts of the state.
During the meeting with the central minister, Gabriel D. Wangsu, Arunachal Pradesh’s Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology & Consumer Affairs had presented a detailed proposal addressing critical challenges faced by the state’s Food & Civil Supplies Department.
Minister Wangsu spoke about the unique geographical challenges of Arunachal Pradesh, which often make the effective implementation of schemes like the National Food Security Act (NFSA) particularly demanding and had raised the need for additional Food Corporation of India (FCI) divisional offices in Bomdila, Pasighat, and Namsai to complement the lone office in Banderdewa. 
“The state’s elongated geography makes it difficult for representatives from remote districts to travel to Banderdewa even for routine tasks like collecting release orders, impacting the efficiency of NFSA operations,” he submitted.
The minister also threw light on the issue of transportation rates for intra-state movement of food grains, which he described as unfeasible under current conditions. Considering Arunachal Pradesh’s rugged terrain and frequent road disruptions, especially during the monsoon, he urged the Centre to consider the state’s proposal for an enhanced rate to align with its unique logistical challenges.
The proposal further called for the establishment of FCI Food Storage Depots in remote districts such as Shi-Yomi (Tato), Longding (Kanubari), Siang (Boleng), and Lower Siang (Siji). “These depots would not only reduce transportation costs but also ensure a steady supply of food grains in the far-flung areas of the state,” Wangsu added.
Minister Wangsu also highlighted the long-standing issue of unpaid air freight bills, which have accumulated since 2000 as a result of air-dropping food grains to inaccessible regions. He urged the Ministry of Defence to waive these dues, which have placed a significant financial burden on the state. Similarly, he raised the issue of pending reimbursements under the discontinued Hill Transport Subsidy (HTS) scheme, which has caused considerable strain on the state’s financial resources.
Wangsu also had raised several pressing issues concerning the Department of Legal Metrology & Consumer Affairs and especially the need for funds to establish District Commission buildings under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, in the newly created districts of Arunachal Pradesh. A proposal amounting to ₹45.97 Crores had been submitted for the construction of new District Commission buildings, Working Standard Laboratories (WLs) and the renovation of existing infrastructure earlier. He mentioned that the state had not yet received any communication regarding the approval of this proposal and sought the Union Minister’s intervention to ensure the early release of funds.
Furthermore, he highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance consumer awareness through the “Jago Grahak Jago” campaign. A proposal for ₹71.80 Crores has been submitted to the Central Government to conduct comprehensive awareness initiatives across the state. Given the limited resources of the state, he requested the Union Minister’s support in expediting the sanctioning of these funds to help raise awareness about consumer rights and welfare.
Minister Wangsu expressed hope that these pressing concerns would receive prompt attention from the Centre, enabling the state to overcome its logistical and financial hurdles in ensuring food security for its people. The Union Minister assured full cooperation and committed to reviewing the proposals with relevant departments for timely resolution.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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