Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan has confirmed that India is planning to import rice from neighbouring Myanmar to tide over the crisis in the North Eastern States of Manipur and Mizoram following ensuing disruption of train services.The step has been taken up in view of the proposed disturbance on Lumding-Silchar train service owing to gauge conversion works, sources from New Delhi said.The import would be for a limited purpose to supply rice to Manipur and Mizoram for a short period of time, official told newsmen.In this regard, the government has floated an exploratory tender on September 8 to evaluate market prices, the source said.This will be the first time in almost three decades the country will import rice.According to officials, 20,000 tonnes of rice will be imported per month starting October and tenders are likely to be floated by the State trading enterprises on behalf of the Food Corporation of India (FCI).Despite having sufficient stocks, the government has to import rice as work is going on to convert therailway line between Lumding and Silchar to broad gauge, officials said.To meet the requirements of these States, which have deficient paddy production, the FCI will have to move the grains via road ranging 400-600 km.“Moving the grains via National Highway 44 from Guwahati, which connects these States, is challenging due to hilly terrains and landslide prone areas,” a source said.Considering these aspects, there is a need to have supplementary stock to avoid any supply crisis in these areas. Therefore, it has been decided to import rice from Myanmar, which is well connected via road to Manipur and Mizoram, sources said. Moreover, the neighbouring country also has surplus stocks, they added.(source: http://www.assamtribune.com/epaper/sep1114/at05.html)