Question : ROTTING OF FOODGRAINS .

(a) whether the foodgrains in FCI godowns has got perished and its quantity has decreased due to various reasons during the last few years;

(b) if so, the quantum of foodgrains got perished or decreased;

(c) whether the Government have pondered over reasons for sub-standard quality of foodgrains and its decreasing quantity;

(d) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(e) the arrangements made by the Government for the utilization of foodgrains of sub-standard quality;

(f) whether adequate arrangements have been made in the godowns of FCI and Central Warehousing Corporation to store the forthcoming (wheat) crop; and (g) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )

(a) No Sir.

(b) Does not arise.

(c),(d) & (e): Regular inspections at the time of procurement of foodgrains are carried out to check the quality of foodgrains. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been asked not to issue inferior quality of foodgrains for distribution under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Such stocks are disposed off through other channels such as tender sale, auction etc. with the approval High Level Committee and the Ministry. `D` category Rice and Wheat stocks are also issued through normal channel after necessary upgradation through cleaning etc.

(f) & (g): FCI has adequate storage capacity (covered, hired and CAP) to accommodate the forthcoming wheat stock. Further, the field officers of FCI have been delegated full powers to hire additional storage capacity as and when required.