Manipur's CAF&PD has directed advance lifting and distribution of NFSA rice for August to October 2026, with all beneficiaries to receive foodgrains by August 31.
Imphal, July 9: The Directorate of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD), Government of Manipur, has issued a circular directing the advance lifting and distribution of rice under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) for the months of August, September and October 2026, with the entire process to be completed by August 31, 2026.
The circular, issued on July 9 by Director of CAF&PD Yumnam Nelson, follows instructions from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India. According to the order, the state has initiated the advance distribution exercise to ensure the timely availability of foodgrains to all eligible beneficiaries under the NFSA.
As per the circular, all Deputy Commissioners and district authorities have been instructed to ensure the advance lifting of rice allocated for the three-month period and complete its distribution within the stipulated deadline. The Directorate has also asked the district administrations to submit the required indents immediately to facilitate the timely release and transportation of rice stocks from designated depots.
The order states that the lifting and distribution of the allocated foodgrains for August, September and October must be completed on or before August 31, 2026, ensuring that beneficiaries receive their full entitlement well in advance.
The Directorate has also appealed to all NFSA beneficiaries across the state to collect their entitled ration for the three months in advance from their respective Fair Price Shops (FPSs). The advance distribution, according to the circular, should be carried out in a manner that ensures every eligible beneficiary receives their entitled foodgrains before the deadline.
To facilitate smooth implementation, the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Imphal, has been assigned key responsibilities under the circular. FCI has been directed to maintain adequate availability of rice stocks at all its depots for advance lifting, coordinate closely with district authorities throughout the distribution process, and make sufficient labour and loading arrangements to prevent delays in the movement of foodgrains.
The Directorate further instructed all district authorities to closely monitor the advance lifting and distribution exercise to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of foodgrains under the National Food Security Act. Officials have also been directed to submit regular progress reports on the lifting and distribution process to the Directorate until the exercise is completed.
The circular states that any operational difficulties or issues requiring intervention should be brought to the notice of the Directorate immediately so that necessary action can be taken without affecting the distribution schedule.
The advance distribution programme is being implemented in compliance with a letter issued by the Union Ministry on July 3, 2026, and is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted access to subsidised foodgrains for NFSA beneficiaries while enabling district administrations and the Food Corporation of India to complete logistical arrangements within a fixed timeframe.
The Directorate has urged all concerned departments, district administrations and implementing agencies to ensure strict compliance with the instructions so that the advance lifting and distribution exercise is completed efficiently and within the prescribed schedule.
