Lok Sabha Question No. 895 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Movement of Foodgrains by FCI
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Smt. Sajda Ahmed

>

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 895

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## MOVEMENT OF FOODGRAINS BY FCI

## 895.  SMT. SAJDA AHMED :

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

- (a): whether the movement offoodgrains by Food Corporation of India (FCI) from surplus to deficit  regions is  based on demand communicated by  Fair Price Shops dealers and if  so, the details thereof;
- (b): whether there is any uniform guideline across States regarding the minimum time gap for communication  offoodgrains requirements by FPS dealers and if  so, the details thereof;
- (c): whether the Government proposes to  issue such standardised guidelines to  ensure timely and efficient  movement of foodgrains and if  so, the details thereof; and
- (d): the details of  the steps taken to  automate FCI operations including implementation of online  depot management systems in owned and hired godowns?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) to (c): The movement of foodgrains by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) from  surplus to deficit  regions is not based on demand communicated by Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers. Under the Targeted Public Distribution  System, the allocation of  foodgrains is a centralised process  based on the number of Pradhan Mantri  Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) beneficiaries and tide over quantity of State under NFS A.

The FCI under supervision of Department of  Food &  Public Distribution  oversees the interState movement of  foodgrains from  surplus regions to  deficit  regions. Based on  the monthly allocation issued by the Government of India,  State Governments raise depot-wise indents on FCI, and foodgrains are positioned accordingly. FPS dealers do not directly communicate demand to FCI

A  monthly  movement plan  is  prepared by  FCI  in  advance, keeping in  view  multiple operational parameters, including:

- quantity available in surplus regions,
- quantity required by deficit regions,
- likely  procurement during the month,
- vacant storage capacity in both procuring and consuming regions, and
- monthly allotment and anticipated off-take offoodgrains.

Foodgrains are moved using a multimodal  logistics framework comprising  Rail, Road, and Coastal Shipping, with about 80% of inter-State movement undertaken through Railways. Railways are informed in advance during the preceding month about the rake requirements for the following month to ensure timely placement and evacuation.

Since FPS dealers are not part of the inter-State movement chain, there is no requirement for  uniform  guidelines across States regarding time  gaps for  communication  of  demand by FPS dealers, nor is there any proposal to  issue such guidelines. FCI,  through advance planning and coordination with  Railways and States, has been able to ensure adequate availability  of  foodgrains in  all  States on a continuous basis.

(d): The project Depot Online  System (DOS) was envisaged in order to automate  the processes and improve the efficiency  and transparency in FCI operations. DOS was rolled out on 01.12.2018 for FC:I owned depots and subsequently  rolled out in phased manner for  all the hired depots.

Further, to  replace the DOS,  FCI  has developed ANNA  DARPAN  which  is aimed at creating a robust single, unified  source of  information.  This  integrated platform  will not  only streamline data exchange and coordination but also strengthen transparency, collaboration and informed decision making across all  levels. ANNA  DARPAN  was initially  rolled out across 108 pilot  depots with  five  core modules, namely Procurement, Storage &  Physical Verification,  Sales, Quality  Control and Movement. Subsequently,  in a phased manner, the system was extended to all depots of FCI.

888888