Mizoram to procure 30,000 quintal rice for 'mega block'

Mizoram government has decided to procure over 30,000 quintals of rice through a contractor to ensure that no one in the state goes without food due to 'mega block' by railways.

The 'mega block' was caused by construction of broad gauge railway tracks at Lumding-Badarpur section in Assam from October one.

"Contractor Lalrindika of Zarkawt in Aizawl has informed that he would begin to procure the rice from next week from sources other than Food Corporation of India (FCI)," State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs secretary C Lalvena told PTI.

He said that the contractor agreed to supply rice at the rate of Rs 25.25 to the state government at Zuangtui FCI warehouse in Aizawl.

"The contractor said that he would be able to procure rice from Myanmar and other places," he said.

FCI also floated a global tender for supply of rice from Myanmar through Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India Ltd, Lalvena said.

As of now, the stock position of rice in the state was comfortable and would last for three months, he said.