Question : CREATION OF STORAGE SPACE .

(a) whether adequate facilities are available for procurement and storage of foodgrains in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the production, procurement, carry over stocks and storage capacity likely to be available during the ensuing year along with the quantum of foodgrains damaged during the last three years, State-wise;

(c) the total land area for godowns available with various agencies and the ratio of storage buildings built thereon;

(d) whether proposals have been received from the States for creation of additional storage space and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto indicating the quantum of funds provided and capacity created during the said period;

(e) the steps taken to create fresh storage space, improve the condition of the existing godowns and check pest and rodent infestation for safe storage of foodgrains during the ensuing seasons; and

(f) whether the Government is implementing any scheme for constructing modern silos and providing subsidy to farmers for creating godowns in rural areas and if so, the details and the present status thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE)

(a)The availability of facilities for procurement varies from state to state. In states like Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, M.P, Chhattisgarh, Telangana etc, the facilities for procurement of foodgrains are reasonably good. Whereas, in case of states like Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh ,West Bengal etc., the infrastructure and logistics like proper mandis, milling and storage capacities, data base of farmers etc. are not upto the mark to take care of price support operations to small and marginal farmers of these States. However, in order to overcome deficiency in facilities for procurement, large number of temporary purchase centers in addition to the existing mandis and depots/godowns are established at identified potential areas in such States.

(b) Statement showing production and procurement of rice and wheat during ensuing year alongwith statement of stock available in Central Pool as on 01.01.2015 and storage capacity of FCI & State Agencies as on 31.01.2015 is at Annexure- I, II, III & IV. Statement showing State-wise stocks accrued as Non-issuable the last three years, State-wise is at Annexure- V.

(c) The data on land area for godowns available with various agencies and the ratio of storage buildings built thereon is not maintained in the Ministry.

(d) &(e): Under PEG scheme, district wise storage gap was calculated in each State by the State Level Committees (SLCs) to meet their consumption/procurement requirement and proposals were sent to the High Level Committee (HLC). Accordingly, based on storage gap recommended by State Level Committees (SLCs) an additional capacity of 122.88 lakh MT in the form of conventional godowns has been created upto 31.01.2015. State-wise details are at Annexure-VI.

Under PEG Scheme, storage capacity is created by private parties, CWC, SWCs and other State Agencies for guaranteed hiring by FCI. The construction cost is borne by the Investors and FCI pays guaranteed hiring charges for this storage capacity for 10 years in case of private investors and 9 years in case of CWC, SWC and other state agencies.

Besides above, under Plan Scheme, godowns for 3,68,950 MT capacity during 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) have been sanctioned for construction by FCI, which includes 2,92,730 MT in North-East States & 76220 MT in other States under the Storage Construction Programme.

Grain is stored in scientific manner in Covered Godown and in CAP (Cover & Plinth). Due care is taken to ensure that health of the grain is monitored and maintained all the times. Steps taken to preserve the quality of foodgrains during storage are at Annexure VII.

(f): Government has decided to construct 20 Lakh MT capacity of modern Silos under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode through FCI. The farmers are provided subsidy for creating godowns in rural areas under the credit-linked scheme of constructing Rural Godowns. Under this scheme, by the end of last financial year a capacity of 50.97 lakh MT has been generated in the country and the total subsidy released by the Government has been Rs.1439.29 crore.