Lok Sabha Question No. 3829 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-17
Subject: Rotting Food Items in FCI Godowns
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Jyotirmay Singh Mahato, Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, Sushil Kumar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY  OF GOT{SUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIOil

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED OUESTION }IO. 3829 TO BE ANSWERED  ON lTrn MARGH,2O2O

## ROTTING FOOD ITEMS IN FCI GODOWNS

t3829.  SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO: SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN: SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of GONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC D I sT R t B uT  I o N snfral  errd,  qrcq  3it{ grffi6 fumur d* ue pteased to state:

- (a)  the quantum of food grains' fruits and vegetables  that were damaged or rotten every year in FGt and GWG godowns between 2O{4 and 2Ol9 along with the quantum of toss of revenue thereinr year'wise and State/UT-wise;
- (b)  the measures taken by the Government to reduce wastage of food grains, fruits and vegetables;
- (c) whether the Government  proposes to distribute food grains for free to the poorest of poor people of the country instead of letting food item rot, in view of the suggestion  of the Supreme  Court;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the quantum ol food grains lifted by the State Government of Kerala from the Gentral Pool between  2lJ14 and 2Ol9?

## ANSWER

MTNISTER  OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF GONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(sHRt DAI{VE RAOSAHEB  DADARAO)

- (a):Thedetailsonthequantityandvalueoffoodgrainswhichgot damagedtngodownsofFoodGorporationoflndia(FG!)(ownedand hired) and Gentral  warehousing  Gorporation  (GWG) during 2014 lo 2019 is as unden

|   Sl No. | Year      | Damaged Foodgraans (in MTs)   | Estimated loss (in Rupees)   |
|----------|-----------|-------------------------------|------------------------------|
|        1 | 2014-15   | 18847.65                      | 21O,756,647                  |
|        2 | 2015-16   | 3r { 5.68                     | 381723,346                   |
|        3 | 2016-17   | a775.57                       | 96,2O{,860                   |
|        4 | 201744    | 2663.49                       | 66,626,992                   |
|        5 | 20{ 8-{ I | 5213.36                       | 72,O331224                   |

Moreover, storage of ftuits and vegetables  are not dealt by FGI and GWG.

- (b): Steps taken by the Government to  avoid damage of foodgrains during storage are enclosed at Annexure.
- (c) & (d): No proposal additional  allocation  to  be Government  of India. is  under consideration  at Present made free of cost to  the Poorest lor by
- (e): The details on the altocation and offtake of food grains (wheat and rice) made to the State Government of Kerala during the perlod 2O{4 to 2Ot9 is tabulated as under:

(in thousand tons)

| Year     | Allocation   | Offtake   |
|----------|--------------|-----------|
| 2014-15  | {595,239     | 1562,652  |
| 2015-16  | 159{ .860    | 1584.234  |
| 2016-17  | 1400.603     | 1397.249  |
| 2017-18  | 1425.O49     | 1437.O54  |
| 20{ 8.19 | 1425.O44     | 1410.293  |

AiINEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3829 TO BE ANSWERED  Oil {TTHMARCH,2O2O lN LOK SABHA.

## STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT  FOR SAFE STORAGE  OF PROGURED FOODGRAIiIS TO REDUCE DAMAGE

- (i) Alt godowns are constructed  as per specifications.
- (ii) Foodgrains are stored by adopting proper scientific code of storage practices.
- Adequate dunnage  materials  such as wooden crates, bamboo matst polythene  sheets are used to check migration of moisture from the floor to the foodgrcins. (iii)
- Fumigation  covens, nylon ropesr nets and insecticides for control of stored grain insect  pests are provided in all the godowns. (iv)
- Prophylactic  (spraying  of  insecticides) and curative treatments (fumigation) are carried out regularly and timely in godowns for the control of stored grain insect  pests. (v)
- Effective rat control measuresr both in covered godowns as well as in GAP storage are used. (vi)
- Foodgrains  in  'Gover  and Ptinth' (GAP) storage are stored on elevated plinths and wooden crates are used as dunnage material. Stacks are properly covered with  specifically fabricated lowdensity  black polyrthene  water -proof covers and tied with nylon ropes/nets. (vii)
- Regular periodic  inspections  of the stocks/godowns are undertaken by qualified and trained staff and all senior officers. The health of the foodgrains is monitored at regular intervats by a system of checks and super checks at different levets. Following  Ghecks and Super checks are conducted  in the godowns by FGI to ensure proper preservation of foodgrains  in the storage. (viii)
- a) Fortnightty inspection of  stocks on {OO% basis by Technical Assistant.
- b) Monthly inspection by Manage(QG)
- c) Quaterly  inspection bY AGM(aC)
- d) Super Checks by Regional,  Zonal and FGI Hqrs Squads.
- only covered rail wagons are used for movement  of foodgrains 5o as to avoid damage during transit. (x)
- The principle of  aFitst  in First Out' (FIFO) is followed to the extent possible so as to avoid longer storage  of foodgrains in godowns. (ix)
- Damage Monltoring Gells have been set up at Districtr Regional and Zonal levets to regutarly  monitor quatlty of stocks and reduce damages. (xi)
- ldentify & repair all the leakage  point in the roof. (xii)
- Gleaning  of drainages  in the godown premises ensured. (xiii)
- Ensure no seepage inside the godowns. (xiv)
- No clogging up of water in the premises. (xv)
- lmmediate action to segregate & recondition  of the stocks whenever it gets affected. (xvi)