Tide over the problem of shortage of storage space

INVC,,

Delhi,,

The Food Corporation of India has a total of 332.50 lakh MTs of storage capacity including Covered and Cover and Plinth (CAP) both owned and hired with a capacity utilization of 91% as on 30.6.2011. Apart from storing in covered godowns, wheat is also stored in CAP which is also a scientific method of storage. Due to the increased procurement of foodgrains and to reduce the storage in Cover and Plinth (CAP) the Government formulated a Scheme for construction of storage godowns through private entrepreneurs, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs). Assessment of additional storage needs under the scheme is based on the overall procurement/consumption and the storage space already available. For the consuming areas, storage capacity is to be created to meet four months requirement of PDS and other Welfare Schemes in a State. For the procurement areas, the highest stock levels in the last three years are considered to decide the storage capacity required. This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas.

The Minister said that based on this analysis and criteria laid down in the scheme, State wise capacity requirement and locations were identified. Under the scheme, the Food Corporation of India would now give a guarantee of ten years for assured hiring to the private entrepreneurs . A capacity of about 152.97 lakh tonnes is to be created in 19 states under the scheme through private entrepreneurs and Central and State Warehousing Corporations. Out of this tenders have been finalized for creation of storage capacity of 52.32 lakh tonnes by the private entrepreneurs. CWC and SWCs are constructing 5.31 and 15.49 lakh tonnes respectively under the Scheme, out of which a capacity of about 3.5 lakh tonnes has already been completed by CWC/SWCs.

In the 11th Five Year Plan an allocation of Rs.154.82 crore has been made to FCI for construction of storage godowns . This is likely to result in the construction of about 1.2 lakh tonnes capacity.

He said to tide over the problem of shortage of storage space, FCI hires storage space from CWC/SWCs/Govt. agencies and private parties etc. Executive Directors(Zones) and General Managers (Region) of FCI have also been given full powers for hiring of private godowns for short term usage to store the procured foodgrains as per their requirement if the capacity available with FCI is not sufficient to store the foodgrains .

It is also not a fact that a large quantity of foodgrains are rottening in the precincts of Food Corporation of India. However, a meagre quantity of 366.33 MT during 2011-12 (upto 01.06.2011) accrued as damaged. The details are at Annexure.

No report has been received regarding large quantity of foodgrains rottening and generating widespread discontentment among masses in Orissa Region, the minister added.

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