With the announcement to resume its service, the central dairy plant located at Porompat in Manipur’s Imphal East district started to reproduce the pasteurized milk fortified with vitamin A and D under the brand name ‘Chumthang’ from Friday.
On Thursday, director H Chaoba of the state veterinary and animal husbandry told the local media that the plant will start producing the milk ‘Chumthang,’ (meaning rainbow).
The consumption of milk in the State is reportedly on the rise as food supplement, according to individuals who are familiar with the business.
The production of the pasteurized milk from the state plant came close on the heels of formulating a methodology to open grocery shops and other shops for essential items by the state government during the ongoing 21 days lockdown and subsequent curfew in Manipur.
In an office memorandum on Friday, special secretary (Home) H Gyan Prakash said, the guidelines for lockdown regarding closure of commercial and private establishments issued by the Government of India includes dairy and milk booths,meat and fish shops,animal fodder/feed shops in the category of exceptions.
However, these establishments have not been made functional due to want of a stranded operating procedure, it said.
With a new methodology, it has been decided that shops for establishing dealing with dairy and milk booths, meat and fish shops, animal fodder/feed located in the area will be allowed to open and function during the period when the grocery and other essential items shops of the area are allowed to open, it added.
Meanwhile, the state consumers affairs food and public distribution department has fixed the price (wholesale rate) at Imphal market and retail prices of 17 items with immediate effect and until further orders in respect of five valley districts namely Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching.
The 17 items include matar, matar dal, potato, onion, salt, sugar, masur dal, ata, maida, mustard oil, palm oil, arhar dal, mung dal, refined oil, kala dal, rice mermal and rice.
The price will be reviewed after a period of one week or till such time as it is necessary in view of the coronavirus public health situation prevailing in Manipur, the order said.
The price is fixed based on the recommendation by the representatives of Imphal chamber of commerce during the meeting held on March 26.
