Lok Sabha Question No. 916 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-01
Subject: Storage Capacity of FCI Godowns
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN, VIRENDRA  KUMAR, NEELAM SONKER, KALIKESH NARAYAN SINGH DEO, KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU, CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL, ABHISHEK SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 916

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 ST  MARCH, 2016

STORAGE CAPACITY OF FCI GODOWNS

916.   SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

SHRIMATI NEELAM SONKER:

SHRI KALIKESH N. SINGH DEO:

SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

SHRI C.R. PATIL:

SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  storage  capacity  of  FCI  godowns  is  in  proportion  to  production and  requirement  of  storing  foodgrains  in  the  country,  if  so,  the  details  thereof indicating  the  quantum  of  foodgrains  produced  along  with  open  and  covered storage capacity available at present;
- (b)  the  total  value  of  foodgrains  damaged  due  to  shortage  of  proper  storage
- facility/storage in open during the last three years;
- (c)  whether  the  Shanta  Kumar  Committee has recommended for phasing out of open storage, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  identified  godowns  that  are  in  a  dilapidated condition, require maintenance and have poor facilities for storing foodgrains, if
- so, the details thereof and corrective steps proposed in this regard;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  formulate  any  incentive  policy  for constructing  godowns  on  farmers  fields  on  Gujarat  pattern,  if  so,  the  details thereof along with number of godowns constructed during the last three years; and
- (f)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  distribute  the  foodgrains  lying  in  the
- godowns under welfare schemes and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM  VILAS PASWAN)

(a):  Yes, Madam.  Sufficient storage capacity exists with Food Corporation of India (FCI)  and  State  agencies  for  foodgrains  procured  for  central  pool.    As  on 31.01.2016,  storage  capacity  of  359.02  Lakh  MT  (Covered  -  332.91  LMT,  Open  26.11 LMT) is available with FCI and 448.09 lakh MT (Covered - 306.80 LMT, Open 141.29  LMT)  with  State  agencies,  i.e.  total  807.11  Lakh  MT  was  available  for central pool stocks, against actual stock of 365.74 lakh MT.  The Open storage is of Covered & Plinth (CAP) type.

As regard to production of foodgrains and requirement of storage capacity, it is  stated  that  the  rice  production  as  per  4 th   Advance  estimates  of  Ministry  of Agriculture was 1047.97 lakh MT for KMS 2014-15, against which 320.40 lakh MT was procured in central pool. Similarly, production of wheat during RMS 2015-16 was  889.37  lakh  MT  and  280.88  lakh  MT  was  procured  in  central  pool.  The maximum storage requirement at any time is around 600 Lakh MT.

- (b):    No  damage  can  directly  be  attributed  to  lack  of  proper    storage  space. Foodgrains are stored in scientific manners in covered godowns and in CAP.  Due care is  taken  to  ensure  quality  of  the  grains  at  all  times.    However,  foodgrains being  a  perishable  commodity,  some  quantities  become  non-issuable  due  to various reasons like:
- I. Damage due to longer storage.
- II. Transit damages viz.enroute damage in wagons/trucks due to contamination, wagon roof leakage etc.
- III. Damages due to natural calamities like cyclone/flood.
- IV. Possibility of down gradation of grains which are procured under relaxed specifications.
- V. In some cases due to negligence of officials/ officers, for which suitable disciplinary action against defaulters, where  ever  found guilty, is invariably taken.

The quantum of wheat stocks damaged under CAP in FCI during the year 201213, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 (upto 01-02-2016) is as follows:-

| Year    |   Qty. in MT |   Value (in Rs.) |
|---------|--------------|------------------|
| 2012-13 |       225.48 |          1738451 |
| 2013-14 |       579.76 |          4696056 |
| 2014-15 |      1023.48 |          8597207 |
| 2015-16 |         2    |            17400 |

- (c):  Yes, Madam. The Committee has recommended that Open/CAP storage should be  gradually  phased  out.    Accordingly,  FCI  has  de-hired  the  entire  hired  CAP capacity except about only 9,249 MT used for storing locally procured paddy.  CAP is  being  kept  to  the  minimum  for  short-term  storage  during  peak  procurement season.  Instructions have been issued to all the field offices not to store stocks in CAP in consuming regions.
- (d):      FCI  formulate  a  priority  list  for  maintenance  related  works  of  godowns and ancillary  works  like  roads,  drains,    etc.  at  the  beginning  of  the  financial  year. Accordingly, the works are taken up on priority. Sufficient funds are also provided in this regard. Besides, periodical inspections are done at various levels to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of godowns.

(e) : No Madam.

(f): In addition to public distribution system, food grains are also allotted/supplied under  various  welfare  schemes  as  per  requirement  of  the  states  and  union territories.  The allotment and offtake of wheat and rice from Central Pool under such welfare schemes during 2012-13 to 2015-16 (upto Jan 2016) are as under:-

(Figs. in Lakh MTs)

| Year    | Allotment   | Allotment   | Allotment   | Offtake   | Offtake   | Offtake   |
|---------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
|         | Wheat       | Rice        | Total       | Wheat     | Rice      | Total     |
| 2012-13 | 436.00      | 366.65      | 802.65      | 332.42    | 326.41    | 658.83    |
| 2013-14 | 381.58      | 344.31      | 725.89      | 306.14    | 291.98    | 598.12    |
| 2014-15 | 341.09      | 372.86      | 713.95      | 271.59    | 355.69    | 627.28    |
| 2015-16 | 376.20      | 341.41      | 717.61      | 248.81    | 270.33    | 519.14    |

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