(a) whether the transportation and distribution of foodgrains
is governed by any specific policy/guidelines;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has received any reports regarding
damage to foodgrains during transportation by road and rail;
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of such
cases reported and the quantum and value of losses suffered during
the last three years; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to check such incidents
in future?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD &
PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) & (b): Transportation of foodgrains is done on the basis of requirement
by the consuming regions, vacant storage capacity and need for evacuation
from the procuring regions etc. The stocks are normally moved out on ‘First
In first Out’ principle. The foodgrains are normally transported by Railways
except where transportation is cheaper by road or there are constraints of
wagon availability or storage space.
Food Corporation of India (FCI) is responsible for transportation of foodgrains
upto designated depots. The responsibility for lifting the foodgrains from these
designated depots and distributing the allocated foodgrains within the State/UTs
is with concerned State/UT government.
(c)& (d): Yes Madam, there have been reports of damage of foodgrains during
transportation from one State to another through road and by rail. The details
of quantum and value of food grains damaged in transportation from one State
to another during last three years is as follows:
Year Quantity Value involved (in MTs) (in Rs. Lakh)
2011-12 234.04 12.19
2010-11 648 37.84
2009-10 328 19.22