197 Lakh Mts Foodgrains Storage Capacity to be Created in 19 States

197 Lakh Mts Foodgrains Storage Capacity to be Created in 19 States
FCI has been successfully handling the procurement, storage, movement and distribution of foodgrains. However, the stocks levels with FCI have risen considerably during the last few years due to heavy and open ended procurement. This information was given by the Minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Prof. K.V. Thomas in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today(22/04/13).

The Minister said that to augment the covered storage capacity, Government is implementing the Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme through private entrepreneurs, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs). The FCI guarantees to hire godowns constructed under this scheme for a period of ten years, thereby, ensuring for the investor, a fair return on his investment. A capacity of about 197 lakh MTs as on 31.03.2013 has been approved for the construction of godowns in 19 States out of which a capacity of 140.73 lakh MTs has been sanctioned for construction. A capacity of 69.92 lakh MTs has been completed under the Scheme. For ensuring long-term scientific storage, the Government has also approved construction of 20 lakh MTs of storage capacity in silos within the overall sanctioned capacity of the PEG Scheme.

The Food Minister further said that besides the PEG Scheme, the Government has finalised a Plan scheme especially for the North East, for creation of an additional storage capacity of 5.40 lakh MTs through the FCI, in the next 3 to 4 years. These capacities once created in the NE region, would take care of the storage requirements of about 3 to 4 months.