FCI asks NE states to set up market yards, milling capacity
New Delhi: To expand the reach of minimum support price mechanism in North-Eastern region, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has asked these states to set up market yards infrastructure and milling capacity with the help of private sector. During a meeting, which was attended by officials from the Union and eastern states, besides private players in the agri-business, FCI also asked the North-Eastern states to develop a plan for procurement of foodgrains, the Corporation said in a statement on Wednesday. “The meeting also discussed the creation of basic mandi (market yards) infrastructure and milling capacity in the states — particularly in Bihar, Assam and West Bengal — with the involvement of the private sector,” the statement said. FCI is the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains in the country. A High Level Committee, which was set up to look into the operations of FCI, had suggested that nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains, should focus on eastern states, leaving bulk purchase to state agencies in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. During the meeting held on Tuesday, West Bengal Food Secretary Anil Verma said that his state would welcome private players to increase the reach of benefits of MSP to small and marginal farmers. The private players at the meeting also expressed their desire to chart out a long-term policy for engaging the private sector in the procurement operations of the central government, the statement said. (PTI)
Tuki inspects progress of work at festival ground
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Wednesday personally inspected the preparations carried out at Indira Gandhi Park to accord grand welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who would be the Chief Guest during celebrations of the 29th Statehood Day on February 20. On the same day, Modi will inaugurate the three-day Festival of Arunachal, and also will flag off the Naharlagun to New Delhi AC Express Train and other two projects, the Itanagar Water Supply Projects and comprehensive power transmission line. This year’s Festival of Arunachal main attractions are cultural extravaganza, food stalls, exhibitions to put up by various Government Department and also, the public can visit the Mishmi and Gallo traditional houses constructed on the Festival ground. Full dressed guard of honour and cultural performance by the various cultural troupes rehearsal were held on Wednesday. Tuki along with his Cabinet Ministers, PCC(I) President Padi Richo and high level officials visited the festival ground. (UNI)
Student dies in accident
Itanagar: A student was killed and another injured today when the motorcycle they were travelling collided with a police van near Akashdeep market here early on Wednesday. Vicky Somi (19), a student of Gyan Ganga Vidyapeeth here, died on the spot and his friend sustained grievous injuries in the accident at 2.30 am, Itanagar police station OC T Bage said. Somi hails from Boa Simla in Lower Subansiri district, Bage said. The injured was rushed to R K Mission hospital. Angry people set the police vehicle on fire and tried to dig the NH-52A to dump the dead body in the road. Timely intervention of the capital administration and police brought the situation under control, Bage said. The driver of the vehicle was arrested, the police said. (PTI)