(a) the total storage capacity held by the Food Corporation of India and the Central Warehousing Corporation, State-wise;
(b) whether the condition of the godowns in the country is very poor and there is acute shortage of storage space in some States including Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State-wise; and
(d) the remedial steps taken for improving the condition of the godowns and for construction of new godowns?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a),(b),(c)&(d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO.557 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 04.05.2010 IN THE LOK SABHA.
(a): The total storage capacity both covered and Covered and Plinth (CAP), owned and hired by Food Corporation of India(FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporation(CWC) as on
31.03.2010 is 288.36 and 104.57 lakhs tonnes respectively. The State-wise details are
given in the statement at Annexure.
(b)&(c): No, Madam. Periodical maintenance of the storage godowns available with FCI and CWC are carried out to maintain them in storage worthy condition. At present storage gap is observed in the major procuring States on account of expected higher arrival of new rabi wheat crop. The storage gap in Punjab and Haryana is estimated at 12.63 lakh tonnes and 1.04 lakh tonnes respectively. Adequate storage space is available with the FCI as on 15th April, 2010 in the States of Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
(d): The Government releases funds as equity to Food Corporation of India(FCI) and as Grants-in-aid to the North Eastern States including Sikkim and J&K, under the Plan Scheme for construction of new godowns. For the Eleventh Five Year Plan, the Planning Commission has allocated Rs. 125.00 crore to be released as equity to FCI and Rs.24.00 crore as Grants-in-aid
to the North Eastern States, Sikkim and J&K.
For creation of storage capacity for the long term, Government has formulated a scheme for construction of storage godowns through private enterpreneurs, under a 7 year guarantee. A capacity totaling 127.65 lakh tonnes has been approved under the scheme. Further, Central Warehousing Corporation and State Warehousing Corporations can construct godowns at approved locations under the Scheme on their own land for which FCI will provide a 6 year guarantee.