PANJIM: To ensure that there is no shortage of food supply in the State during the ongoing lockdown period, the Goa government has decided to make bulk purchases of essential food articles from Food Corporation of India (FCI) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED).
In a press statement issued on Sunday, the government has said that as per directions from Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, strict action would be taken in case of any unwarranted closure or blockage of the essential goods supply chain, be it by manufacturers, transporters, wholesalers, retailers or any other persons.
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“State Government of Goa hereby clarifies that Goa has sufficient stock and supply of essential goods,” the statement reads.
It informed that Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) through an order dated March 29, has directed that seamless transportation of all goods (intra-State/UT & intra-State/UT), without distinction of essential/non-essential have been allowed.
Accordingly, the State government has taken steps to ensure ease of operation of groceries shops, wholesalers, manufacturers of essential products including pharma related products/medical equipment etc.
“In public interest, the Government has decided to allow the movement of all Goods carriage vehicles and vehicle of home-delivery companies/establishments,” statement mentioned.
“The government has also decided to do bulk purchase of essential food articles from NAFED and FCI. These measures will help ease the pressure on the supply side,” it added.
Government is also prepared to airlift any of the essential items directly from the supplying States, in case of need, it said.
Further government said that CM has announced that strict action would be taken in case of any unwarranted closure or blockage of the essential goods supply chain, whether it be by manufacturers, transporters, wholesalers, retailers or any other persons. “Strict action will also be taken against any person or organisation who obstruct/hinder the manufacturing, supply chain or availability of essential goods at reasonable rates,” it added.
MHA in its order has clarified that groceries include hygiene products such as hand washes, soaps, disinfectants, body wash, shampoos, etc. MHA has further allowed entire supply chain of Milk collection and distribution including its packaging material. In addition, newspaper delivery supply chain is also allowed under Print media.
