Lok Sabha Question No. 2964 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Rice Godowns in Lakshadweep
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2964

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2025

## RICE GODOWNS IN LAKSHADWEEP

## 2964. SHRI MUHAMMED  HAMDULLAH  SAYEED:

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

- (a): whether the  Government is  aware of  the inordinate delay in  carrying out the maintenance and repair works of rice godowns located in various islands of the Union Territory ofLakshadweep;
- (b): if  so, the  reasons for  the  delay  and the  steps being taken by  the  Government to expedite the  maintenance of  these godowns to  ensure safe storage and uninterrupted distribution  of  essential foodgrains;
- (c): whether the Government has any proposal to introduce or  strengthen door-to-door delivery  of  ration  commodities for  differently-abled persons and bedridden patients across the  islands;
- (d): if so,  the details of such  a  scheme  including its  implementation mechanism, funding support and monitoring framework; and
- (e): whether the Government is likely  to consider issuing special guidelines to ensure timely  repair  of  godowns and provide  priority services to  vulnerable beneficiaries in Lakshadweep and if  so, the details thereon

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,

FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

- (a) &  (b): The Food Corporation of India owns a depot at Androth  island in the Lakshadweep Islands with  a total  storage capacity of  2,500 MT  (two  units of  1,250 MT  each).  Regular maintenance activities  are carried out as per requirement.

At  present, the  work  of  replacing the AC  roof  sheets with  pre-coated galvalume profile sheets, along with  repairs to  damaged truss members and painting  of  the godown and ancillary structures is being carried out as per requirement.

Due to the harsh saline conditions, a special aluminium-alloy profile sheet (IS 31500 Temper Hx8  confirming to  IS737) has been planned to  be installed. However, due to  lack of availability  of  the  required material,  seasonal non  availability  of  sea routes for  transport and constraints of  labour availability  in island, the roof  sheet replacement  was undertaken in a phased manner and is expected to be completed  by  15th January 2026.

(c)  &  (d): The Public Distribution System (PDS) is governed as per the provisions of the National Food Security Act,  2013 (NFS A).  The PDS under the Act  is operated under the joint responsibility of  the  Central and  the  State/UT Governments. The  operational responsibilities including lifting  of foodgrains from the designated depots, transportation &  handling within the State, delivery of  foodgrains upto the door step of fair  price shops through authorised agencies, identification of  beneficiaries, issuance of  their ration cards and distribution of  foodgrains to beneficiaries as per their  entitlements through fair  price  shops rests with  the  State Government. Delivery  offoodgrains  at door-step of beneficiaries is beyond the purview  of the Act.

Presently,  no such proposal for door-step delivery  of foodgrains for differently-abled  person and bedridden patients, is under consideration of the Government.

(e): The progress  of all repair works is monitored from  time to time to ensure that all the works get completed  within  stipulated time.

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