To ensure continuous supply chain of essential goods to the people in case of a worst-case scenario, the Food Corporation of Bhutan (FCB) is currently stocking up reserves of essential food items and distributing it across the nation as well.
Besides their warehouses in all districts, FCB has started stocking in multipurpose halls of schools and institutes.
Changangkha multipurpose hall is filled with thousands of rice bags, oil and pulses. Similarly over a thousand essential supplies were stored today at the Royal Institute of Management’s hall. To support the move, Dessup volunteers helped stock truckloads of essentials.
Penjor Gyeltshen, a Desuup volunteer said he came to help the FCB with unloading and arranging the goods. He said the move is farsighted in view of the current scenario. “I feel that it is a good thing on their side because as we all know, our neighbour country is under lockdown. Our shopkeepers don’t have to go there by themselves. The government has identified all the vehicles, drivers and they are bringing in the goods, so I think it is a very secure way,” he added.
Meanwhile, FCB will not supply the essential food items in bulk to anyone but in a controlled manner. This according to the FCB is to make food available to everyone.
Kardungmo, an employee with the FCB said a customer will be allowed to buy only a sack of rice to control hoarding and to make the goods available to everyone.”This is to ensure that we provide the basic necessities to everyone in a sufficient way. Some people come with their families to buy more goods but we don’t sell the items,” he added.
The retail shop branch of the FCB is located above Trowa theatre at Changjiji in Thimphu. For the distribution of rations across the country, around 50 trucks are identified by the FCB and works are underway. The FCB ensured that there will be a continuous supply chain of essential food items and that people need not have to panic.
Tshering Dendup