The covered and cover and plinth (CAP) storage capacity available with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) as on April 1, 2012 was 336.04 lakh metric tonnes (MTs), both owned and hired. The storage capacity with state agencies for storage of Central stock of foodgrains as on March 31, 2011 was about 291 lakh tonnes, including both covered and CAP capacity. Thus, a total quantity of about 627 lakh tonnes of storage capacity was available for storage of Central stock of foodgrains against the Central stock of 527 lakh tonnes as on April 1, 2012. However, some quantities of foodgrains get damaged due to rain, floods and natural calamities. This information was given by K V Thomas, minister of state, ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.
Thomas said that due to the increased procurement of foodgrains and to reduce the storage under cover and plinth (CAP), the government formulated a scheme for construction of storage godowns through private entrepreneurs, the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs). Read more
Source : www.fnbnews.com
