The Government of India ensures minimum Food reserve in its godowns at any given point of time. Stocks are released to meet requirement of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and other welfare schemes as per the demand of the respective State/ UT, on continuous basis, following First In First Out (FIFO) principle. Stocks equivalent or more are continuously replenished in Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns on continuous basis. Stocks are moved from surplus states to deficient States. This information was given by the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
The Minister said that covered storage is being progressively augmented and foodgrain stock is being liquidated within 2 years of procurement. FCI has augmented its storage capacity based on an identification of gap through State Level Committees under Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme as stated below:
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|
YEAR |
CAPACITY CREATED UNDER PEG SCHEME(FIG IN LMT) |
|
2010-11 |
2.0 |
|
2011-12 |
26.17 |
|
2012-13 |
40.66 |
|
2013-14 |
49.88 |
|
2014-15(31-03-15) |
8.30 |
He said that FCI has also planned to modernize its existing storage capacity by construction of modern silos in PPP mode.
Steps taken by FCI to preserve the quality of procured Food grains during Storage are :
1. Before the commencement of Rabi and Kharif Marketing Seasons, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Govt. of India issues uniform specifications for procurement of foodgrains for the Central Pool. These uniform specifications are circulated to F.C.I. and all State Govts./Agencies with instructions to ensure that foodgrains are procured strictly in accordance with the uniform specifications.
2. Foodgrains procured by F.C.I. and State Govts/Agencies are stored in covered godowns as well as in CAP (cover and plinth).
3. During storage, the following steps are taken for safe storage and preservations of foodgrains:-
Covered godowns:-
Godowns are constructed on scientific lines making it rodent proof by having proper height and damp proof by providing pucca floor.
Before the stocks are stored, the godown is properly cleaned and cobwebs etc., if any, are removed.
Floor and walls are treated with chemicals such as air charging with Malathion and DDVP (insecticide) to make them pest free.
Markings are provided for stacks and the dunnage material is used on which foodgrains bags are arranged as per the stack plan.
Prophylactic (spraying of insecticides) and curative measures (fumigation) are carried out regularly for the control of insects/pests.
Effective rodent control measures are also undertaken.
Following checks /super checks are conducted in the godowns to ensure proper preservation of foodgrains in storage.
Fortnightly inspection of stocks on 100% basis by Technical Assistants for declaring categorization & classification.
Monthly inspection by Manager (QC) 33% of stocks (1/3rd of stocks) in a month. Monthly inspection reports (MIR) of Manager (QC) are scrutinized at Zonal level. Suggestions made therein are to be implemented and monitored through action taken reports (ATR)
Quarterly inspection by AGM (QC)
The following inspection schedule is prescribed for AGM (Quality Control):-
? 1/3rd of depots in a month so as to cover all the depots in the District in three months.
? 5% of stocks are to be checked in a depot having capacity of more than 25000 MTs.
? 10% of stocks in respect of depot having less than 25000 MTs
? Squad Inspection Reports (SIR) of AGM(QC) are scrutinized in Zonal office.
CAP (COVER & PLINTH)
In case of shortage of covered storage space, foodgrains may have to be stored in open in CAP. Every care is taken for maintenance of quality of grains, while kept in CAP. Rats, birds and moisture are the main enemies of grain in CAP storage. In view of the risk involved, this type of storage is attempted as a last resort. The following precautions are taken for proper storage of foodgrains in CAP Storage:-
The site selected for CAP is above the adjoining ground and away from nallahs and drainage to prevent any flooding of CAP storage during rainy season.
CAP storage site is cleared of all plants/shrubs growth and disinfested with DDVP.
Anti-termite measures are taken in CAP/Open storage.
Adequate dunnage is provided for all stacks in CAP/open storage, Wooden Crates are preferred. However, cement blocks, wooden rafters, causurina poles and granite blocks, according to local availability, have also been used successfully. The dunnage material is cleaned and disinfected either by fumigation or by treating with contact insecticides such as DDVP.
In the CAP, Stacks are built in the form of dome( inverted U) to facilitate easy flow of rain water and prevent accumulation of water on the top.
To protect the stocks from rain, sun, dew, birds, rodents etc. each stack is covered with a polythene cover especially made for this purpose. The poylthene cover mounted on the stack is properly lashed by nylon ropes vertically to prevent damage to the covers due to high velocity winds, rains, dusts, storms etc.
Regular prophylactic and curative measures are carried out for the control of stored grain insect pests in CAP storage. Rodent control measures are also taken by fumigating the rat burrows with aluminium phosphide or by poisoning the rodents with Zinc Phosphide.
Moisture is the major factor responsible for adversely affecting the quality of foodgrains in CAP and is controlled by regular aeration of stocks during clear weather days.
Technical Assistant concerned checks the stocks on fortnightly basis followed by Super checks by Senior Officers.
Stocks held in CAP are generally issued/moved on Priority based on the principle of First in First Out (FIFO).
Damage Monitoring Cell (DMC) have been set up at District/Regional/Zonal Level and is regularly monitoring accrual of damaged stocks with a view to minimise the accrual of damaged foodgrain.
