Imphal: Manipur authorities urged residents to avoid panic buying on Friday, confirming that the state maintains adequate fuel and LPG reserves. This assurance comes despite an indefinite strike by petroleum tanker drivers that started July 31. The Manipur Petroleum Transporters and Drivers Association launched the protest after a 15-day deadline passed without government action regarding alleged illegal taxation along the Imphal-Jiribam route.
CAF and PD Director Yumnam Nelson said the Home Department is negotiating with the union. Fuel continues arriving via the Jiribam route. Current stocks cover 37 days for kerosene, nine for petrol, 25 for diesel, and seven for LPG. Nelson stated, "The state currently has enough stock."
Food security remains a priority. The department manages the National Food Security Act, covering roughly 21.13 million beneficiaries through 5.81 million ration cards. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana provides free rice until December 2028. All 2,532 Fair Price Shops now use electronic Point of Sale devices for biometric tracking. Aadhaar seeding for ration cards has hit 99.7 percent.
Officials are pushing local rice production through the SASCI project, which includes a four-metric-tonne-per-hour mill. The department also monitors 18 essential commodities to stabilize prices. Regarding kerosene, OSD Haobam Bobby clarified that the fuel is no longer part of the public distribution system. Instead, the Centre allocates 672 kilolitres per quarter for emergency use. He also warned LPG users to complete mandatory KYC updates to avoid service disconnection.
The Legal Metrology Department plans stepped-up inspections before the Emoinu Eratpa and Ningol Chakouba festivals. Assistant Controller Sanabam Suraj warned that authorities will take strict legal action against traders using faulty weighing instruments. Consumers can report violations at the DC Complex in Lamphel.
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