(a) whether foodgrains worth crores of rupees are rotting in various godowns of the country;
(b) if so, the value of the foodgrains which got rotten during the last three years; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to check such wastage in future?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a), (b), & (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. 375 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 19.12.2005 IN THE LOK SABHA.
(a): As on 1st November, 2005, a quantity of 1.42 lakh MTs of damaged foodgrains was lying in the Central Pool.
(b): During the last 3 years (2002-03 to 2004-05) there was accrual of a quantity of about 13.68 lakh MT of damaged foodgrains in the Central Pool valued at Rs. 1290.44 crores approximately.
(c): Damaged foodgrains stock as a percentage of the total stocks in the Central Pool as on 1st November, 2005 was only 0.7 percent which is negligible. Government is taking all necessary steps to prevent damage to foodgrains which include increase in covered godown capacity, scientific storage practices and adhering to the First In First Out (FIFO) principle.