(a) the names of districts in the States of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat where Government godowns are available for storing foodgrains and vegetables;
(b) the plan and policy of the Government for setting up of godown in the rural areas for storage of foodgrains and vegetables;
(c) whether several districts of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat still do not have Government godowns; and
(d) if so, the plan of the Government in this regard and its reaction thereto?
A N S W E R
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)
(a) to (d): All districts in the states of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have Government godowns for storage of foodgrains.
Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare undertakes a Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in which financial assistance is provided for setting up of cold storages for horticulture products including vegetables. As on 31.10.2019, under MIDH, 803 cold storage have been created in Gujarat and 1767 in Uttar Pradesh. However, the district-wise data for Cold Storages are not maintained centrally.
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Depending on requirement in specific areas and for modernization of the storage facilities, the Government implements the following schemes for construction of godowns and silos for storage of Central Pool Stocks of foodgrains in the country:
i. Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme: Under this Scheme, which was formulated in 2008, storage capacity is created by private parties, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Government Agencies for guaranteed hiring by FCI. As on 31.12.2019, a total capacity of 143.63 LMT has been created. Under this scheme, no funds are allocated by Government for construction of godowns and full investment is done by the private parties/CWC/State Agencies.
ii. Central Sector Scheme (erstwhile Plan Scheme): This scheme is implemented in the North Eastern States along with a few other States. Funds from annual budgetary allocation are released by the Government of India to FCI and also to the State Governments for construction of godowns. A total capacity of 1,84,175 MT has been completed by FCI and State Governments during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). This scheme has been extended from 01.04.2017 to 31.03.2022. A capacity of 51,925 MT has been created by FCI & State Governments from 01.04.2017 to 31.12.2019.
iii. Construction of Steel Silos: In addition to conventional godowns, Government of India has also approved an action plan for construction of steel silos in the country for a capacity of 100 LMT in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode for modernizing storage infrastructure and improving shelf life of stored foodgrains. As on 31.12.2019, steel silos of 7.25 LMT capacity have been created.
In addition, godowns are hired under Private Warehousing Scheme (PWS) to address immediate/urgent requirement of storage space. Godown under PWS can be hired after hiring all the capacity available with CWC/SWCs/State Agencies/PEG capacity available with them.
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