(a) whether the Government is aware that every year huge quantum of foodgrains gets ruined due to insufficient storage capacity in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the names of those States which have more foodgrains storage capacity than their requirement at present;
(d) whether additional storage capacity in some of the States has become a cause of concern and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the corrective steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a): No, Madam. No damage of foodgrains has been reported due to insufficient storage capacity.
On the basis of peak stock requirement during procurement season, the overall storage capacity required in the country is about 600 Lakh MT. Against this, the total capacity available with Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Agencies for storage of foodgrains as on 30.06.2017 was 794.48 Lakh MT. Thus on the overall, there is sufficient capacity for storage of foodgrains in the country.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): Total storage capacity available is as per requirement. The utilization of storage capacity depends upon the level of procurement, movement of foodgrains etc. and may differ from time to time. In procuring regions, the capacity utilization is maximum when procurement operations are going on but, subsequently, the stock is moved to deficit regions. This leads to liquidation of stock and the utilization of capacity also goes down hence, the capacity temporarily becomes surplus at micro level but overall, i.e., at macro level, the capacity with FCI is as per requirement.
(d): No such issues have been reported.
(e): Does not arise.
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