Monday, Jul 22, 2024 10:30 [IST]

Last Update: Monday, Jul 22, 2024 04:59 [IST]

Needed: An angioplasty

The recent closure of National Highway 10, Sikkim's lifeline, has severely impacted the supply of essential commodities, leading to skyrocketing prices of food grains and vegetables. This disruption, exacerbated by the monsoonal rains and the rising levels of the Teesta River, has exposed the vulnerabilities in Sikkim's supply chain and the urgent need for government intervention.

At the heart of this crisis lies the Food Corporation of India's (FCI) godown in Jorethang, South Sikkim. This critical facility supplies essential food items to the districts of Namchi, Geyzing, and Soreng in South and West Sikkim. The numbers paint a bleak picture: the Jorethang godown should receive 15,352 quintals of rice for these regions, but as of mid-July, only 8,548 quintals have arrived. This significant shortfall of 6,804 quintals has left the godown nearly empty, a clear violation of the National Food Security Act, which mandates that godowns maintain a month's worth of food stock.

The root cause of this shortfall can be traced back to the prolonged closure of NH 10. For 19 days, this vital highway remained shut, cutting off Sikkim from the FCI godown in Siliguri, West Bengal, where it sources its essential supplies. Although the highway has now partially reopened, the damage has been done. The FCI warehouse in Jorethang has promised to fulfill the required quota within 11 days, but skepticism remains high. Sources from the State Food and Civil Supplies Department have expressed doubts about meeting this deadline due to the low number of supply vehicles reaching the Jorethang godown this month.

The state's eastern region has fared better, with no reported shortages in the FCI's Rangpo godown. This discrepancy further underscores the need for a more balanced and resilient supply chain across Sikkim.

The impact of this crisis is being felt acutely by the residents of Sikkim. The soaring prices of essential commodities are straining household budgets, particularly for low-income families who rely on affordable food supplies. The Sikkim government must take immediate and decisive action to address this situation and prevent a recurrence.

The State government must expedite the supply of essential commodities from Siliguri to Sikkim. Additionally, the state should explore alternative routes and transport methods to avoid future disruptions caused by road closures. The government should also implement strict monitoring mechanisms to ensure that godowns maintain the required stock levels as per the National Food Security Act. Any deviations should be promptly addressed to prevent shortages.

There should be a concerted effort to stabilize prices in the market. This could involve direct intervention to control price gouging and ensure that essential commodities remain affordable for all citizens. The Sikkim government must rise to the occasion, taking bold and effective measures to restore normalcy and ensure that such a situation does not arise again.

 

Sikkim at a Glance

  • Area: 7096 Sq Kms
  • Capital: Gangtok
  • Altitude: 5,840 ft
  • Population: 6.10 Lakhs
  • Topography: Hilly terrain elevation from 600 to over 28,509 ft above sea level
  • Climate:
  • Summer: Min- 13°C - Max 21°C
  • Winter: Min- 0.48°C - Max 13°C
  • Rainfall: 325 cms per annum
  • Language Spoken: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Tibetan, English, Hindi