Question : STORAGE FACILITY FOR FOODGRAINS

(a) the details of storage facility available and the current requirement along with the foodgrains damaged during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(b) the quantum of foodgrains procured during the last three years along with the quantity estimated to be procured during the ensuing rabi season;

(c) whether the Government has created sufficient warehousing facilities in accordance with the estimated procurement and stock;

(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and if not, the manner in which the Government proposes to manage and safely store the stocks during the ensuing rabi season; and also utilise the surplus stocks including allocation under Welfare Schemes; and

(e) whether any provision has been made under the proposed National Food Security Act for augmenting storage capacity in view of increased requirement of foodgrains, and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) The details of storage capacity for central pool stocks available in the last three years and current year is as under:

(Fig. in LMT)
As on Storage Capacity	FCI	State Agencies	Total

31.03.2010	288.36	295.5	583.86

31.03.2011	316.1	291.32	607.42

31.03.2012	336.04	341.35	677.39

31.03.2013	377.35	341.35	718.70

The storage capacities, both covered and CAP, available with FCI State agencies for storage
of Central stock of foodgrains is about 719.00 lakh MTs as against Central Pool stock of
foodgrains which stood at 597 lakh MTs as on 1.04.2013. 

The State-wise details of the capacity available with FCI as on 31.03.2013 and the State
Governments/Agencies as on 31.05.2012 is given at Annexure-I.

The State-wise details of foodgrains damaged during each of the last three years and the
current year is given at Annexure-II, III, IV and V respectively. 

(b) The details of quantum of wheat procured during the last three years and the quantity
estimated to be procured during the ensuing rabi season is given at Annexure-VI.

The details of procurement of rice in Major Producing State from Kharif Market Season (KMS)
from 2009-10 to 2012-13 is given at Annexure-VII. 

(c) & (d) To augment the covered storage capacity the Government is implementing the Private
Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme for construction of storage godowns through private
entrepreneurs, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs). Assessment of additional storage needs under the scheme is based on the overall
procurement/consumption and the storage space already available. A capacity of 197 lakh
MTs as on 31.03.2013 has been approved for construction of godowns in 19 States as per
the details given at Annexure-VIII.

Further to meet any increased storage requirement, Executive Directors(Zones) and General
Managers (Regions) of FCI have been given full powers for hiring of godowns for short terms
usage to store the procured foodgrains as per their requirement.

All precautions are taken by FCI to preserve the quality of foodgrains stored with them.
Prophylactic and curative measures are carried out regularly for the control of insects/
pests. Effective rodent control measures are also undertaken. Regular quality checks are
conducted to ensure proper preservation of foodgrains in storage. Adequate dunnage is
provided for the foodgrain stocks stored in CAP. The dunnage material is cleaned and
disinfected. To protect the CAP stocks from rain, sun, etc. each stack is covered with
a polythene cover. The poylthene covers are tied with nylon ropes. Wheat stocks stored
in CAP by the State Govts/Agencies are subjected to joint inspection on a regular basis
by officers of FCI and the concerned State Govts/Agencies. Stocks are generally issued
on the principle of” First in First Out” (FIFO). 

(e) The National Food Security Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha on 22.12.2011 provides that it
shall be duty of the Central and State Governments to maintain scientific storage facilities at
various levels.