Lok Sabha Question No. 3723 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Storage Facilities for Foodgrains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.3723 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18TH DECEMBER, 2024

## STORAGE FACILITIES  FOR FOODGRAINS

## 3723. DR. M K  VISHNU PRASAD:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION anItHT gwr& ©rg iat  trT+gflqtaam =Ht be pleased to  state:

- (a) the details of the measures taken by the Government to ensure the safe storage of PDS paddy in Tamil  Nadu particularly  in  Cuddalore Constituency  during  monsoon seasons;
- (b) the percentage of wastages of Paddy during the last three years during monsoons in Tamil Nadu and Cuddalore Constituency due to non-proper storage facilities  in PDS;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to improve the infrastructure for storing PDS foodgrains in  Tamil  Nadu particularly  in  Cuddalore Constituency including construction of new godowns and renovation during the last five years;
- (e) the initiatives  taken by the Government to reduce material wastage in the storage and transportation  of  PDS foodgrains in Tamil Nadu; and
- (f) the details of  funds allotted by  the Government for  supply of  Food and Public Distribution during the last five years?

- (c) the manner in which the Government protects foodgrains from damage caused by heavy rainfall, flooding other extreme weather events in Public Distribution;

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a): Tamil  Nadu is a Decentralised Procurement States (DCP). The state Government procure, store and distribute foodgrains as per their Nationa] Food Security Act  (NFSA)/Other Welfare Schemes (OWS)  requirement. In  case of  procurement less than requirement, the  shortfall  is bridged by Food Corporation of  India  (FCI)  by  inducting  stock from  States having  surplus procurement. As  on 01.11.2024, 12 1.MT Covered storage  capacities is available with  FCI (Owned - 6.46 LMT  & Hired5.54 LMT)  and 8.92 LMT  is with  the State agencies in Tamilnadu state for storing of Central Pool foodgrain stocks. A  total of  30020 MT  storage capacity of FCI  (Owned+Hired)  is currently available in  Cuddalore revenue district.  Tamil  Nadu Civil  Supplies Corporation (TNCSC)  ensures safe storage of paddy in various revenue  districts ofTamilnadu including  Cuddalore constituency.

(b): The Public Distribution  System (PDS) food grains are in the custody of TNCSC. The State government of Tamil Nadu informed that no paddy was damaged due to non-proper storage under public distribution system during the last three years.

(c): FCI  godowns are constructed as per BIS  standard and foodgrains are stored scientifically. Proper Drainage facilities  are available in  the depot and the  leakage/ seepage points  are arrested in time to safeguard the foodgrains.

(d): Requirement of  Storage capacity in FCI depends upon the level of  procurement, requirement of  buffer  norms and Public  Distribution  System (PDS) operations for  food grains (Rice and Wheat). FC:I continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and based on the requirement and storage gap assessment,  storage capacities are created/hired  through  following schemes at a Pan India level including Tamil Nadu:-

- 1 Construction of Silos under Public Private Partnership(PPP)  mode
- 2 Private Entrepreneurs  Guarantee (PEG) Scheme
- 3 Central Sector Scheme 'Storage &  Godowns'
4. Hiring. of godown from Central Warehousing Corporation Corporations (SWCs)/State Agencies (C\VC)/ State Warehousing
- 5 Private  Warehousing  Scheme .(PWS)
6. Creation of ga(towns under Asset MoQetization

Maintenance of Godown infrastructure  is done as per requirement.

(e): Initiatives taken by FCI to reduce material wastage in the storage and transportation of  PDS food grains in Tamil Nadu are as under

## Storage Loss:

- The  position of  storage  losses is  reviewed in  Monthly  Performance Review Meetings (MPR)  and inspection/monitoring  of depots showing higher storage &  transit losses is intensified.
- Covered storage capacity has been augmented to avoid CAP  Storage of food grains.
- Periodical prophylactic and curative treatment of food grains stocks is undertaken to keep them free ftom pests/infestations i.e. to minimize  losses due to biotic  factors.
- Depots exhibiting  high storage 16sses' in a month are inspected at the level of ED (Zone), GM  (Region) and other senior officers.
- From time to time various Zonal/Regional  squads are also deputed for surprise check.
+ Security stafF of FCI, Home  Guards and other external agencies is being deployed at FCI depots to ensure safety and security of the stock.
-  CCTV  cameras are installed in owned depots for  better surveillance and supervision.
- e Physical measures  like installation  of barbed wire  fencing  of the boundary walls, provision  of  street lights for  illumination of  godowns  and  proper  locking of  the  sheds are taken  to  secure the  goclowns.
-  Disciplinary action is being initiated against'deliaquents wherever abnormal/unjustified  losses are repoIled after due investigation.

## Transit  Loss:

-  Transit  losses are reviewed  in Monthly Performance  Review  Meetings.
-  Investigation of High  Transit  Losses at HQ/Zone/Region/District levels at regular intervals.
-  Deployment of Independent Consignment Certification  Squad (ICCS)  at the time of  loading /unloading.
-  Spreading of Polythene Sheet on the floor  of railway wagons to retrieve the spilled over grains.
-  Joint Verification of high Transit Loss cases to fix responsibility. The lower limit of TL for JV's has been reduced from  1% to 0.75% and further 0.50% w.e.f  1 .10.2022.
-  Implementation of  high  security cable seals on wagons at the time of  loading of  foodgrains to  avoid tempering enroute pilferage w.e.f  1.01. 2022.Tlris led to 92%  reduction in  number of  Rakes reporting abnormal Transit Losses i.e. more than 0.5%.
- e Made-up bags accrued at railhead are being accounted.
-  Disciplinary  action is being initiated against delinquents  wherever abnormal/unjustified  transit losses are reported

The steps taken by FCI to reduce wastage of food grains is attached as Annexure - I

- (f): Budget Estimates in respect of the Department of  Food and Public Distribution,  Government of India for the last five  financial  years is at Annexurc-II

# # # # #

## Annexure-I

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (e)  OF  THE  USTARRED  QUESTION NO.3723 FOR ANSWER ON 18.12.2024 IN THE LOK  SABHA.

## Steps taken by FCI to prevent wastage of foodgrains:

- Foodgrains are stored by adopting proper scientific  code of storage practices. (1)
- Adequate durmage materials such as wooden crates, bamboo mats, polythene sheets are used to check migration  of moisture from the floor to the foodgrains. (ii)
- Fumigation covers, nylon ropes, nets and insecticides for control of stored grain insect pests are provided in all the godowns. (111)
- Prophylactic (spraying of  insecticides) and curative treatments (fumigation) are carried out regularly and timely  in godowns for the control of stored grain insect pests. (iv)
- Effective rat control measures are taken. (V)
- Foodgrains in Transit Storage/ '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 low-density  black polythene water -proof covers and tied with nylon  ropes/nets. (Vi)
- 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 intervals by a system of checks and super checks at different levels. (VII)
- The principle of  'First  in  First Out'  (FIFO) is  followed so as to  avoid longer storage of foodgrains in godowns. (VIn)
- Only covered rail wagons are used for movement of foodgrains so as to avoid damage  during transit. (IX)
- Damage Monitoring  Cells have been set up at District,  Regional and Zonal levels to regularly monitor  quality  of  stocks and  reduce damages. In  case any negligence is  reported suitable action is taken against officers / officials  found responsible. (X)
- Identify  &  repair all the leakage point  in the roof  is done periodically. (xi)
- Cleaning of  drainages in the godown premises  ensured. (XU)
- Ensure no seepage inside the godowns. (XIn)
- No clogging up of water in the premises. (XIV)

## Annexure-II

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN  REPLY TO PART (f)  OF THE USTARRED QUESTION NO.3723 FOR ANSWER ON 18.12.2024 IN THE LOK SABHA.

Budget Estimates in respect of  the Department of  Food and Public Distribution,  Government of India for the last five financial years:

| Financial Year   |   Budget Estimates (BE) (Rs. In Crores) |
|------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| 2019-20          |                                  242240 |
| 2020-21          |                                  172235 |
| 2021 -22         |                                  303974 |
| 2022-23          |                                  225960 |
| 2023-24          |                                  230514 |

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