MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a): Food Corporation of India (FCI) has handled (offtake) a quantity of 2993.13 Lakh tonnes of foodgrains during the last 6 years from 2012-13 to 2017-18 excluding DCP stocks. During such handling of huge quantity of stocks, a very minimal quantity of 0.61 Lakh tonnes (0.02%) got damaged due to rain, flood, cyclone, transit, negligence etc. during the last 6 years.
The details of quantum of foodgrains that got damaged in FCI godowns w.e.f 2012-13 to 2017-18 is tabulated as under:
...2/-
...2...
Year
Offtake quantity/ Quantity handled (excluding DCP States) in Lakh tonnes
Quantity of Damage Accrued (In Lakh tonnes)
% Damaged Food grain against Offtake Quantity
2012-13
552.60
0.03
0.01%
2013-14
523.16
0.25
0.05%
2014-15
501.75
0.19
0.04%
2015-16
490.15
0.03
0.01%
2016-17
473.31
0.09
0.02%
2017-18
452.16
0.027
0.01%
(b): There is no such plan to reduce the procurement, because sufficient capacity is available for storage of central pool foodgrains at national level.
(c): Government monitors and reviews the available storage capacity from time to time taking into consideration of procurement of foodgrains, offtake under Public Distribution System (PDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS). Depending on requirement in specific areas and for modernization of the storage facilities, the Government has been implementing the following schemes for construction of godown and silos in the country:
(1) Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme:
Government of India has formulated Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme in the year 2008, for construction of covered storage capacity through Private Entrepreneurs, CWC and SWCs and other State agencies. A guarantee of hiring for 10 years is given in case of private investors and 9 years in case of CWC, SWC and other State agencies. Godowns are constructed by the private parties, CWC and SWC and other State agencies by arranging their own funds and lands. After construction, FCI take over the godown on guaranteed hiring basis.
(2) Central Sector Scheme:
This scheme is implemented in the North Esatern States along with Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Kerala. Funds are released by the Government to FCI and also to the State Governments for construction of godowns. The objective of the scheme is to augment the storage capacity of foodgrains in the NE Region and other three States.
...3/-
...3...
(3) Construction of Steel Silos:
In addition to conventional godowns, construction of steel silos has been undertaken in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode for modernizing storage infrastructure and improving shelf life of stored foodgrains.
(d): Government has taken following steps to avoid spoilage/damage of foodgrains during transportation:
a) After the placement of rake each wagon is inspected for fitness on certain parameters i.e. no damage in wagon floor, roof and walls, no dust is accumulated on floor of wagon and wagon doors are properly closed. In case, if any wagon is found unfit on above said parameters then it is declared unfit for loading and rejected
b) Each wagon is properly cleaned for removal of any accumulated dust like cement, fertilizer or coal which may damage foodgrains.
c) Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets are laid on wagon floor before loading of foodgrain bags.
d) Wagons doors are double sealed by Railway and FCI to avoid any outside impact on the foodgrain bags.
e) Tarpaulins sheet is spread on platform at the time of loading/unloading of stocks from the wagons to avoid contamination of spillages.
f) Only covered rail wagons are used for movement of foodgrains so as to avoid damage during transit.
****
Download PDF Files
