(a) The rules framed by Food Corporation of India for taking the godowns on rent;
(b) whether it is a fact that many godowns of FCI are situated as far as 70-80 kilometres away
from the railway station;
(c) if so, the losses suffered by the FCI on transportation as a result thereof during the
last year; and
(d) the corrective steps taken by the Government to take such godowns situated near the railway station?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI ASHOK PRADHAN )
(a),(b),(c)&(d): Food Corporation of India, while taking godowns on rent takes into
account operational requirements and others factors like storage-worthiness of the godowns,
availability of facilities like weighbridges, office block, railway siding etc.
Some godowns which are away from railheads have to be hired by FCI in hilly and remote
areas on account of operational necessities. The additional cost incurred in taking foodgrains
from nearest railhead to such godowns, thus becomes unavoidable. If there is a choice, godowns
near railheads are preferred for hiring.