To ensure effective distribution and supply of foodgrains through rations shops, the food ministry has called for creating advisory committees of experts in places where godowns of Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other state agencies are located.
The committees, to be headed by the respective Members of Parliament of those areas, will ensure accountability and transparency in the whole process of distribution, supply and transportation of grains.
"The advisory committees will be for the public and will ensure that everything is transparent," Food Minister K V Thomas said.
Around 1.5 million tonnes (mt) of wheat, largely in Punjab, did not have proper scientific storage facility so far, as grain procurement by state agencies exceeded the available storage capacity.
The problem worsened, as states did not lift their share of grains allocated under special allocations.
Thomas said the central government was also planning to call a meeting of representatives from major foodgrains producing and consuming
"As per our estimate, grain offtake by states under the open market sale scheme and also under other ad hoc allocations have been around 40 per cent, which is not good and for this we plan to involve all states which are either producers or consumers of grain," the minister said.
He said that on the basis of the official estimate, the country has food stocks of over 65 mt, while the storage facility available with FCI and state agencies is almost 62.3 mt.
"For the time being, the government has allocated 15 mt, of which almost five mt will be distributed to below poverty line families in 150 poorest districts, on the basis of guidelines from the Supreme Court," Food Secretary B C Gupta said.
He said losses of grains due to storage and transportation had also come down in the recent years.
"We are also now not averse to limited quantities of grain exports, as that would further help in vacating storage space and also ensure that farmers get due price for their produce," Thomas said.
