No food shortage in Meghalaya, says Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: The Meghalaya Government once again reassured the citizens that there is no food shortage in the State besides informing that the State as a whole is still free from COVID-19 that has affected the neighbouring States. Briefing newsmen at the State Secretariat on Thursday, State Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong briefed on a number of issues related to the activities undertaken by the State to ensure minimum impact of the lockdown.

He said that out of the 123 tests carried out till today, all have turned negative. The Deputy Chief Minister said that this clean chit doesn’t mean that we should be complacent. He mentioned the five corona care centres that are already in place to meet any eventuality.

While people are talking about supply of essential commodities, Tynsong categorically stated that there is and will be no shortage of essential commodities in the open market and through the public distribution system (PDS). “ Rice amounting to 1000 metric tonnes is being lifted from the Food Corporation of India Limited (FCI) Depot and the supply of around 10,000 metric tonnes is on the way”, stated the Deputy Chief Minister.

On the local farmers plight for their inability to sell their produce due to the lockdown and curfew, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the agriculture response team has been put in place “The number is 1917 and all the farmers can come together with their produce at the designated point to sell at the market rate”, stated Tynsong. He further informed that these agricultural response team is being placed in each and every district of the State.

Furthermore, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that the amount for the daily wage workers and labourers who have run out of jobs has been released by the government. The rate varies from Rs 1,000 per week to the registered card holders and Rs 700 to people without any registration cards.

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