(a) whether the Ministry maintains any record of the loss of food grains due to problems with the storage and transportation infrastructure;
(b) if so, the details of the amount of food grains lost due to these reasons in the last five years;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) whether any measures are being taken to rectify these problems and if so, the details thereof?
A N S W E R
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)
(a) & (b): Yes Sir. The details on the quantity of foodgrains, which is accrued as non-issuable in Food Corporation of India (FCI) during transportation in last five years is as under:
(Fig. in Lakh tonnes)
Year Quantity of foodgrains transported Quantity of transit damage accrued
2016-17 410 0.0018
2017-18 420 0.0026
2018-19 383 0.0027
2019-20 389 0.0010
2020-21 594 0.0008
Moreover, no damage of central pool foodgrains occurred in FCI during the last five years due to lack of storage infrastructure.
(c): Does not arise in view of (a) above.
(d): Steps taken by the Government of India to prevent losses of foodgrains during transportation:
? Covered rail wagons free from roof leakage are used for movement of foodgrains so as to avoid damage during transit.
? Low density polyethylene (LDPE) sheet is spread over the floor of wagons to avoid contamination of foodgrains with extraneous matter.
? LDPE sheet/tarpaulins are placed on door flaps of wagons to prevent the foodgrains to get affected from rain water during transportation.
? Tarpaulins sheet are placed at platforms at the time of loading & unloading of wagons/trucks to collect the spillage to avoid wastage of foodgrains.
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