TDC urges government to press Centre

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 22, 2019: Transporters’ and drivers’ council (TDC) has urged the chief minister of Manipur N.Biren Singh and consumer affairs, food and public distribution (CAF and PD) minister Karam Shyam to press the Centre so that the pace of bringing of full-fledged regional FCI office in Manipur is not slowed down.

Transporters had been demanding to convert regional office of FCI, Manipur in to a full-fledged office since years back. Union minister CAF and PD, Ram Vilas Paswan announced to convert the regional office into full-fledged regional office from January 1 next year. He also mentioned that the full-fledged regional office will be presented to Manipur as a new year’s gift, said president of TDC, H. Ranjit during a press conference held on Sunday here.

Ranjit said the regional office of FCI located at Old Assembly complex has been functioning under the regional office of Nagaland till date. He appreciated Biren and Shyam for their initiatives.

Ranjit further said after monitoring the issue of tank truck in connection to its cease work strike TDC found that it was caused due to violation of rules and regulation while distributing tenders to TT owners. The issue is made after a conspiracy with higher authority of Indian Oil Corporation Limited with some transporters on their vested interest, he alleged.

The tender was declared beyond the rules and regulation that 230 tank trucks of 7 metric ton tank truck is assigned for the state. Despite of giving tender to 230 trucks, IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Limited) along with some transporters gave the tender to 170 trucks, he added.

He said the TTs are designed to carry LPG gas and they cannot be used at other alternative purposes. The remaining 60 TTs have become useless which affects the transporters. The trucks owners have to repay loans and bear maintenance costs, he added.

He said there are no rules that the tender should be only assigned to 7 metric ton tanker trucks, it can be assigned to 12 metric ton tanker trucks. According to the notification of tender, priority should be given to 7 metric ton tanker trucks and 12 metric ton tanker trucks can be added if required, he added.

He cautioned that if IOCL fails to add the remaining 60 trucks then TDC will knock the door of court to get justice, saying that IOCL should not invite for another court case.