Barak Valley Shines! FCI Nilambazar Makes India’s Top Depot List

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) Food Storage Depot (FSD) at Nilambazar in Sribhumi district has brought national recognition to the Barak Valley after being selected among the best food storage depots in the country under FCI’s newly launched monitoring initiative, Depot Darpan.

The recognition was conferred during a national-level event held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, on June 18. The award was presented by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi, in the presence of senior officials of the Food Corporation of India.

Speaking to Barak Bulletin, Haobam Dharmendra Khuman, Depot Manager of FCI FSD Nilambazar, said the recognition came as part of an assessment carried out through the Depot Darpan initiative, which was launched to monitor the preservation, maintenance and operational standards of food grain storage depots across the country.

According to him, the Nilambazar depot was selected for maintaining high standards of cleanliness, food grain preservation and overall depot management. “We always try to keep the depot spick and span and ensure proper preservation of food grains. The assessment was conducted through Depot Darpan, and our depot was selected among the best,” he said.

The award carries particular significance because the selection was made from among approximately 236 core FCI-owned depots operating across India. FB17007 – FSD Nilambazar, under the FCI Divisional Office, Silchar, was recognised among the country’s best-performing depots and was placed at Serial Number 10 in the list of award-winning depots announced under the Depot Darpan assessment programme.

Reflecting on the achievement, Haobam Dharmendra Khuman described the moment as one of the most memorable of his professional career.

“I never expected that I would receive such recognition. When I got the award, it felt like the reward for all the hard work and dedication put in over my 12 years in the Food Corporation of India. It was like a dream come true,” he said.

The award was received by Haobam Dharmendra Khuman on behalf of the Nilambazar depot. Present at the event were Narender Kumar, Divisional Manager of FCI Divisional Office Silchar, and Manoj Kumar, General Manager, FCI Assam Region.

The recognition highlights the role played by food storage depots in ensuring the safe preservation and distribution of food grains under India’s public distribution system. Officials said initiatives such as Depot Darpan aim to improve transparency, operational efficiency and storage standards across the country’s food supply network.

The achievement is being viewed as a significant milestone not only for FCI Nilambazar but also for Sribhumi district and the Barak Valley, bringing national attention to a depot that plays an important role in safeguarding food security in the region.