Question : BASE DEPOTS OF FCI



(a) the number and capacity of base depots of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in the country, State-wise;

(b) whether the said depots are sufficient to meet the requirements;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if not, whether the FCI proposes to open more depots in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which they are likely to be set up?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a), (b) & (c): FCI has a total of 910 Base Depots in the country with a capacity totalling 231.27 lakh tonnes. The details State-wise are at Annexure -I. The storage capacity of the Base Depots is sufficient to meet the requirements of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and the requirements of Other Welfare Schemes (OWS), except in the States of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Orissa, Kerala, Bihar, Gujarat and North Eastern States.

(d)&(e): In the Eleventh Five Year Plan, the Planning Commission has allocated Rs.125 crores to be released as equity to FCI for construction of storage godowns. Thrust is given for creation of storage capacity in the North-Eastern States including Sikkim and J & K. The details of storage capacity constructed by FCI during the least three years from 2006-07 to 2008-09 as well as ongoing projects of FCI where the storage capacity of Base Depots is not sufficient are at Annexure-II.

Government has also formulated a scheme for construction of godowns for FCI by hiring them on guarantee basis for 7 years. The godown is to be taken on hire from Private parties generally through CWC/SWCs (which will be the implementing agency). In order to ensure expeditious construction of godowns, the Guarantee Scheme has been reviewed and it has been decided that wherever CWC and SWCs have land and if this is at the identified locations and within storage capacity finalized, CWC/SWCs may construct godowns on priority for which FCI will provide 6 years Guarantee. Under the Scheme, approval has been given for construction of storage godowns for a capacity of 127.65 lakh tonnes. The details of storage capacity approved for the States where the storage capacity of Base Depots is not sufficient are given at Annexure-III.