MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a): No damage of Central Pool foodgrains (wheat & rice) can be directly attributed due to lack of storage facilities. Procured foodgrains are stored by FCI in a scientific manner in covered godowns and in Cover & Plinth (CAP) storage. Scientific codes of practices for safe storage of foodgrains are followed during storage. Inspite of all precautions, some quantity of foodgrains may get damaged/become non-issuable during storage due to various reasons such as storage pests’ attack, leakages in godowns, procurement of poor quality stocks, exposure to rains, floods, negligence on the part of concerned persons in taking precautionary measures etc. Region-wise wheat & rice accrued as non-issuable/damaged in FCI for last three years are at Annex-I.
...2/-
...2...
(b): The details of the action taken against the officials of FCI responsible for damage of foodgrains during last three years are as under:
S.No
Year
Number of Persons
1
2013-14
50
2
2014-15
77
3
2015-16
31
(c): International Conference on Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in stored products was organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research during 6-11 November, 2016 in New Delhi. Delegates from academic institutions, companies and Government institutions from India, America, Canada, Latin America, Russia, Europe, Africa, Australia, UAE, Jordan etc. participated in the conference Deliberation was held on the following topics
(i) Biological response of organism to CA and fumigants.
(ii) Fumigants application technologies
(iii) Methyl Bromide alternatives and novel fumigants
(iv) Quality preservation
(v) Safety and protection of the environment
(vi) CA and hermetic storage application technologies
(vii) Engineering aspects of CA/fumigation
(viii)Insect resistance to fumigants and pest management strategies
(ix) Quarantine and integrated CA management and
(x) Traditional storage system.
During the conference, the industries demonstrated their products for storage of foodgrains.
The knowledge and experience shared by the delegates are helpful to researchers, industries and grain warehousing agencies for improving the practices and make warehousing of grain more efficient and environment friendly.
(d): There is sufficient storage capacity available with FCI and State agencies. The peak stock requirement for Central Pool foodgrains generally happens on 1st June every year. Total storage capacity (both covered and CAP) available with FCI (owned as well as hired) and State agencies for storage of Central Pool stocks as on 1st June during the last three years with corresponding stock position in central pool is as under:
...3 /-
...3...
(Fig. in Lakh Tons)
As on
Stock position (capacity required)
Storage capacity available for Central Pool stocks
Storage capacity created during last three years
Year
Capacity created
01.06.14
622.31
758.52
2014-15
8.80
01.06.15
568.34
726.43
2015-16
7.31
01.06.16
534.29
811.94
2016-17 (upto January, 2017)
2.60
The peak stock position has been less than the total storage capacity.
(e) The storage capacities in country are augmented by the Government in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode under Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) scheme, where the godowns constructed by the parties / other agencies are dedicated for FCI/State Agencies for 9 to 10 years for storage of foodgrains. Godowns are also constructed under plan scheme specifically in the North Eastern States and a few other States. In addition, it has also been planned to construct steel silos of 100 LMT capacities in the country in a phased manner in PPP mode.
Steps taken by the Government to avoid damage of foodgrains in storage are at Annex-II.
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ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3180 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 21.03.2017 IN LOK SABHA.
REGION-WISE WHEAT & RICE STOCK ACCRUED AS NON-ISSUABLE/ DAMAGED IN FCI FOR LAST THREE YEARS.
(Fig. in Tons)
******
Sl. No.
Regions
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
Wheat
Rice
Wheat
Rice
Wheat
Rice
1
Bihar
802.758
3106.65
8.67
694.98
21.891
24.5
2
Jharkhand
617.562
4.53
0
2.67
0
0
3
Orissa
159.41
925.38
3929.478
3179.339
18.804
7.14
4
W.B.
7930.69
4609.16
60.72
59.77
0
12.4
5
Assam
3.038
177.7
9.3
87.322
92.149
27.756
6
NEF
477.557
1350.211
0
95.416
0.357
210.028
7
Arunachal Pradesh
0
3.3
0
0
0
0
8
Nagaland
2.829
29.429
0
38
0
10.6
9
Manipur
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
Delhi
34.328
0
2.591
0
15.56
0.491
11
Haryana
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
H.P.
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
J&K
0
0
952
5168
0
0
14
Punjab
53.747
18.884
7.168
37.425
11.351
18.38
15
Rajasthan
13.019
0
2.761
0
0.215
2.19
16
U.P.
941.332
168.24
301.924
20.11
50.021
66.047
17
U. Khand
90.021
0
7.531
0
0
0
18
A.P.
246.939
228.57
48.826
2213.298
683.867
1518.357
19
Kerala
58
297
62.698
334.987
13.369
165.542
20
Karnataka
8.481
37.155
697.597
50.228
4.85
30.376
21
Tamil Nadu
54.803
238.983
220.072
156.914
15.04
15.331
22
Gujarat
405.453
38.505
192.588
2.658
14.999
0.617
23
Maharashtra
1178.1
56
35.339
68.642
56.347
0
24
M.P.
54.077
22.865
0
80.183
0
0
25
Chhattisgarh
197.297
53.452
16.421
1.6
6.252
0.857
Total
13329.441
11366.014
6555.684
12291.542
1005.072
2110.612
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3180 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21ST MARCH, 2017 IN LOK SABHA
STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT AVOID THE DAMAGE OF FOODGRAINS IN STORAGE
Before the commencement of Rabi and Kharif Marketing Seasons, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Govt. of India issues uniform specifications for procurement of foodgrains for the Central Pool. These uniform specifications are circulated to F.C.I. and all State Govts./agencies with instructions to ensure that foodgrains are procured strictly in accordance with the uniform specifications.
2. Foodgrains procured by F.C.I. and State Govts/agencies are stored in covered godowns as well as in CAP (cover and plinth).
3. During storage, the following steps are taken for safe storage and preservations of foodgrains:
(i) All godowns are constructed as per specifications.
(ii) Foodgrains are stored by adopting proper scientific code of storage practices.
(iii) Adequate dunnage materials such as wooden crates, bamboo mats, polythene sheets are used to check migration of moisture from the floor to the foodgrains.
(iv) Fumigation covers, nylon ropes, nets and insecticides for control of stored grain insect pests are provided in all the godowns.
(v) Prophylactic (spraying of insecticides) and curative treatments (fumigation) are carried out regularly and timely in godowns for the control of stored grain insect pests.
(vi) Effective rat control measures, both in covered godowns as well as in CAP storage are used.
(vii) Foodgrains in ‘Cover and Plinth’ (CAP) storage are stored on elevated plinths and wooden crates are used as dunnage material. Stacks are properly covered with specifically fabricated low-density black polythene water -proof covers and tied with nylon ropes/nets.
(viii) Regular periodic inspections of the stocks/godowns are undertaken by qualified and trained staff and all senior officers. The health of the foodgrains is monitored at regular intervals by a system of checks and super checks at different levels. Following Checks and Super checks are conducted in the godowns by FCI to ensure proper preservation of foodgrains in the storage.
a) Fortnightly inspection of stocks on 100% basis by Technical Assistant.
b) Monthly inspection by Manager (QC)
c) Quarterly inspection by AGM (QC)
d) Super Checks by Regional, Zonal and FCI Hqrs Squads.
(ix)The principle of “First in First Out” (FIFO) is followed to the extent possible so as to avoid longer storage of foodgrains in godowns.
(x) Only covered rail wagons are used for movement of foodgrains so as to avoid damage during transit.
(xi)Damage Monitoring Cells have been set up at District, Regional and Zonal levels to regularly monitor quality of stocks and reduce damages.
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