State-run MMTC and STC have floated global tenders for import of 40,000 tonnes of rice for delivery in Mizoram and Manipur to meet PDS demand.
Despite adequate domestic stock, the government has asked the two PSUs to import rice for the Public Distribution System in view of transportation problems being faced since last month due to widening of railroad on the Lumding-Silchar-Agartala section.
In a separate tender, MMTC and STC have sought supply of 20,000 tonnes of rice each from global sellers for delivery between December and February in two tranches. Both the bids will close on November 26.
The trading firms have sought supply of 25 per cent broken white rice. MMTC has sought delivery of rice at Zokhawthar in Mizoram, while STC at Moreh Land in Manipur, the tender documents said.
This is the second tender invited by the two agencies as the earlier one was scrapped due to high price quoted by global suppliers at above Rs 40,000 per tonne.
The Food Corporation of India is supplying rice to the northeastern states at around Rs 32,000 per tonne, including transportation cost.
Since there will be no train movement on the Lumding- Silchar-Agartala section till March next year, FCI is facing traffic congestion while transporting PDS rice via road.
The PDS requirement of rice is about 80,000 tonnes a month for Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and parts of south Assam.
