Lok Sabha Question No. 676 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Improvement in Storage Facilities
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.676 To BE ANSWERED ON 207H JULY, 2022

## IMPROVEMENT IN STORAGE FACILITIES

## 676. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that tonnes of food grains, including rice and wheat, is damaged every year in the storage facilities of Food Corporation of India;
- (b) the details thereof along with the necessary steps taken being taken by the Government to stop wastage of food grains;
- (c) whether there is huge shortage of godowns under FCI and if the details thereof along with necessary steps takenlbeing taken by the Government to increase number of godowns in the country; and
- (d) the other necessary steps taken by the Government to improve the agricultural produce storage facilities in the country keeping in view the rotting away of foodgrains?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a) & (b): Food Corporation of India (FCI) procures, stores handles huge quantities of foodgrains: Procured foodgrains are stored in a scientific manner. In of all precautionary measures, a very negligible quantity of foodgrains accrue as damaged mainly due to natural calamities viz. flood, cyclone rain etc. The steps taken by the Government to prevent wastage of foodgrains are enclosed at Annexure: spite
- (c): No Sir.
- (d): Foodgrains procured for Central Pool are stored by adopting scientific methods and proper storing technology.

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 676 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 20.07.2022 IN LOK SABHA

Steps taken by the Government to prevent wastage of foodgrains are as under:

- All godowns are constructed as per specifications:
- Adequate dunnage materials such as wooden crates, bamboo mats, polythene sheets are used to check migration of moisture from the floor to the foodgrains:
- Foodgrains are stored by adopting proper scientific code of storage practices:
- (iv) Fumigation covers, nylon ropes, nets and insecticides for control of stored grain insect pests are provided in all the godowns:
- (v) Prophylactic  (spraying and curative treatments (fumigation) are carried out regularly and timely in godowns for the control of stored grain insect pests:
- (vi) Effective rat control measures are taken.
- (vii) Foodgrains in 'Cover and Plinth' (CAP) storage are stored on elevated plinths and wooden crates are used as dunnage material: Stacks are properly covered with specifically fabricated lowdensity black polythene water -proof covers and tied with nylon ropeslnets:
- (ix) possible so as to avoid longer storage of foodgrains in godowns:
- (viii) Regular periodic inspections of the stockslgodowns are undertaken by qualified and trained staff and all senior officers. The health of the foodgrains is monitored at regular intervals by a system of checks and super checks at different levels.
- (x) Only covered rail wagons are used for movement of foodgrains as to avoid damage during transit:
- (xii) Cleaning of drainages in the godown premises is ensured:
- (xi) Identify & repair all the leakage point in the roof is done periodically-
- (xiii) Ensure no seepage inside the godowns is ensured:
- (xiv) No clogging up of water in the premises is ensured:

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