NEW DELHI, November 7: Union food and consumer affairs minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has called upon the north-eastern states to maintain price uniformity under the public distribution system (PDS) by passing on the benefits of transport subsidy scheme to consumers.

Addressing a conference of food ministers of north-eastern states in Guwahati, Singh said that all states in the region were entitled to avail of the Hill Transport Subsidy scheme and the reimbursement of road transportation charges which would help maintain price uniformity in different parts of the region.

The minister said that the Centre has decided to constitute a standing committee to look into disputes regarding claims made to Food Corporation of India (FCI) with a view to expedite their settlements.

This committee, under the chairmanship of the additional secretary and financial advisor to the food ministry, would soon take up cases relating to the region.

In view of the difficult transport situation in the region, the FCI has been empowered to grant extension of validity period for lifting the monthly quota of foodgrain stocks in two months instead of the present one month period.

Singh hoped that this would enable the states to overcome temporary dislocation in supplies and maintain smooth operation of PDS.

Steps have also been initiated for increasing the capacity of the existing 11,000 tonne godown complex at Dimapur, besides activating the 1000 tonne capacity of FCI godown at Jiribam.

The minister expressed satisfaction that the quantity of imported RBD palmolein allocation made to north-eastern states was the same as demanded. Under the Hill Subsidy scheme Rs 500 per tonne of edible oil supplied in 15 kg tin is reimbursable to hill states except Assam.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.