“The state has an adequate supply of essential commodities,” said Secretary of Transport and Secretary of Food LH Darlong and Sharadindu Chowdhury in a press conference on 18 June, Friday.
The supply of essential commodities in the state is satisfactory, although communication with the state by road has been cut off due to landslides caused by heavy rains at Lumshnong in Meghalaya. The state transport department and food department are keeping a close watch on the situation. LH Darlong, chief secretary of the transport department, and Sharadindu Chowdhury, secretary of the food department, told reporters at the press conference at the secretariat today.
Shri Darlong, chief secretary of the transport department, said the heavy rains for the last two days had disrupted the road communication system at Lumshnong in Khasi Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya. As a result, the department has requested Shyamoli Transport Company to start daily two bus services between Dhaka and Agartala-Kolkata as an alternative in this situation.
The Assistant High Commissioner has been requested by the Department of Transport to approve the visas of passengers on this route in a short time. The state Chief Minister Prof (Dr) Manik Saha has also written to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation requesting the introduction of additional airlines in the state and for fixing airfares of various airlines for the passengers of the state. Sri Darlong said regular contact was being maintained with the Deputy Commissioner of Khasi Hills in Meghalaya to ensure speedy repair of the road once the rain stopped.
Food Department Secretary Sharadindu Chowdhury said the state has sufficient stocks of daily necessities including petrol, diesel, and gas at this time. However, the department is liaising with the Food Corporation of India and IOCL to monitor the situation and take immediate action.
The Food Department has also asked IOCL to bring petrol and diesel to the state through Bangladesh. Food Department Secretary Shri Chowdhury said the stock of rice, oil, onion, pulses, and flour is satisfactory. At the press conference, he hoped for the overall cooperation of the people, including businessmen of all levels. Food Department Director Tapan Kumar Das was present at the press conference.
