Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya met Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma in Aizawl on Sunday, May 17, 2026, to discuss measures to strengthen food security and public distribution in the state. The hour-long interaction focused on ensuring uninterrupted food-grain supplies to National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries and improving allocations under the Open Market Sale Scheme – Domestic (OMSS-D).
Officials said the talks prioritized targeted distribution mechanisms and logistical support to prevent supply disruptions in remote areas. Chief Minister Lalduhoma requested enhanced rice allocations under both OMSS and NFSA, approval for procurement of Bharat Rice for the state, and additional funding to expand storage infrastructure, including more godowns and warehouses.
Lalduhoma noted that Mizoram had received Rs 19.22 crore in 2019–20 under the Central Sector Scheme “Storage and Godowns” (Grant-in-Aid), which was used to construct ten godowns across the state. In response, the Union minister said additional storage capacity is being developed in Mizoram under the PEG scheme and highlighted broader national plans to scale up storage.
Bambhaniya also outlined central initiatives, including the Ministry of Cooperation’s large-scale storage expansion-described by officials as the “world’s largest storage plan”—and new interventions such as Grain ATM facilities and the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). On Bharat Rice procurement, she assured that supply under the scheme is sufficient and that any distribution inconsistencies would be addressed by the ministry.
The meeting was attended by Mizoram Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs B. Lalchhanzova, Ravi Dadhich, Secretary to the Government of Mizoram, FCS&CA, and officials from both the central and state governments. At an interaction-cum-dinner in Aizawl on May 16, 2026, Bambhaniya praised Mizoram’s indigenous products-such as GI-tagged Mizo Ginger and Mizo Chilli-and its cultural heritage, but said her visit was primarily to understand local challenges first-hand and to extend necessary support. Both sides signalled a commitment to follow up on allocation, procurement and storage proposals to strengthen the state’s public distribution system.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/mizoram/mizoram-cm-meets-union-minister-seeks-higher-rice-allocation-under-nfsa-omss/51173/
Category: Mizoram,food security,Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma,Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya
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Publish Date: 2026-05-18 18:12:00
