Centre to open 16 new shops in Manipur to provide commodities at reasonable price

Imphal: While Manipur people have been facing sky high price of essential commodities amid Meitei-Kuki conflict, Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that 16 new Kalyan Bhandars (shops) will be opened on Tuesday to provide commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices.

The Home minister said this in a status posted on X on Monday.

“In line with PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s commitment, the MHA is launching an initiative to provide commodities to the people of Manipur at reasonable prices. Now the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars will be open for common people from September 17, 2024. In addition to 21 existing Bhandars, 16 new ones will be opened. Among the 16 new centres, eight will be in the valley, and the remaining eight in the hills.”

Chief minister N. Biren Singh shared the status on his Facebook wall.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Police-II Division (Resettlement & Welfare Directorate), Government of India has approved for extension of the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB) facility to the local residents of Manipur by providing KPKB goods. Accordingly, 16 new outlets (8 each in Valley and Hills) have been established in addition to the existing 21 KPKB facilities.

The outlets in the valley were opened at E-Coy(20 Bn CRPF)-Chotobekara (PSBorobekara,Dist-Jiribam); 131 Bn BSF(Hqrs)-Sugnu(PS Sugnu,Dist-Kakching); E-Coy(107 Bn BSF)-DC Complex (Kakching); F-Coy(10 Bn BSF)-Wangjing Tekcham Leikai (Dist-Thoubal); F-Coy(19 Bn CRPF)-Lilong PS (Dist-Thoubal); Detachment(8 Bn CRPF)-DC Complex (Bishnupur); A-Coy (32 Bn CRPF) – Moirang (PS-Moirang, Dist-Bishnupur); and at E-Coy(29 Bn BSF)-Lamlai PS (Dist-Imphal East).

For hills, the outlets were opened at D-Coy(93 Bn BSF)-Leikun (Dist-Chandel); 10 Bn BSF(Hqrs)-Trade Center,Moreh (Dist-Tengnoupal); B-Coy(109 Bn CRPF)-near Mini-Secretariat (Senapati District Hqrs); 119 Bn CRPF(Hqrs)-Kangpokpi District Hqrs; G-Coy(86 Bn CRPF)-K Sinam village (PS-New Keithelmaribi,Dist-Kangpokpi; 58 Bn CRPF(Hqrs)-Kangvai (PS&Dist-Churachandpur); SP Office Churachandpur District Hqrs; and at 40 Bn BSF -Mahadev(PS-Litan, Dist-Ukhrul).

“KPKB have started movement of material and all the outlets – currently existing and the newly established will start supplying/ providing goods to local population in phases with effect from 17th September, 2024,” a statement said.

“KPKB is taking up this measure to address the immediate needs by preparing a comprehensive distribution strategy while maintaining transparency and fairness throughout the process.”

List of existing and new outlets with details of contact persons.