GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2630

ANSWERED ON:10.08.2010

STORAGE GODOWNS

(a) the names of the organizations involved in storage of foodgrains alongwith the capacity, both covered and open, held by them, State-wise;

(b) whether the storage capacity of the said organisations have been fully utilised;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether in view of shortage of godowns faced during the recent years the Government has launched a target oriented programme for creation of storage capacity;

(e) if so, the details of financial and physical targets fixed and achieved for construction of godowns in the country including North Eastern States, State-wise;

(f) the number and capacity of godowns proposed to be constructed during the remaining part of the Eleventh Plan, Statewise;

(g) whether the Government proposes to create a separate organisation on lines of NHAI for construction of godowns; and

(h) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken thereon?

ANSWER

 MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a), (b) & (c): The Food Corporation of India is the organization mainly involved in the storage of foodgrains. The capacity both covered and Covered and Plinth (CAP), owned/hired as on 15.7.2010 with FCI along with the utilization is at Annexure I. The capacity available with the FCI is optimally used and the utilization percentage as on 15.7.2010 is 90% as compared to the Bureau of Industrial Costs and Prices (BICP) norm of 75%. The other organizations besides FCI involved in the storage of foodgrains are Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs) and other State Agencies . The state-wise storage capacity available with CWC, SWCs and percentage utilization as on 1.7.2010 is at Annexure II and Annexure-III respectively.

(d), (e) & (f): The FCI has prepared a shelf of project with an estimated cost of Rs.133 crores, against an allocation of Rs.125 crores by the Planning Commission for the godowns to be constructed by FCI in the country including the North-Eastern States during the 11th Five Year Plan. A capacity totalling 1,38,770 metric tonnes is likely to be created out of the funds allocated for construction of godowns by FCI subject to availability of land for the purpose. Details of the godowns to be constructed is at Annexure IV. As a long-term measure, for augmentation of the storage capacity in the country, the Government has formulated a Scheme for construction of godowns for FCI (as well as for the States undertaking Decentralized Procurement of Foodgrains), through private entrepreneurs. Under the Scheme, FCI would give a guarantee of 10 years for the storage charges. About 134 lakh tonnes of additional capacity has been identified for construction in 16 States under the Scheme.

(g):No Madam.

(h): Does not arise.