Hry to construct 12 godowns for foodgrains storage

In order to ensure safe and scientific storage of foodgrains, the Haryana Government has decided to construct 12 godowns of silos technique of 9.5 lakh metric tonnes capacity in the state.

A decision to this effect was taken in a review meeting held under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Karan Dev Kamboj here.

Haryana State Warehousing Corporation is the nodal agency for the construction of these silos godowns at Ambala, Faridabad, Sirsa, Bhiwani, Rohtak, Jagadhari, Panipat, Tohana, Karnal and Narwana.

During the meeting, it was informed that approval has already been accorded to the Food Corporation of Indian (FCI) for the construction of steel silos of three lakh metric tonnes capacity. Apart from this, approval of the 4.5 lakh metric tonnes capacity has also been approved by the High Powered Committee whereas, the process in underway for the approval of remaining two lakh metric tonnes.

Kamboj said that farmers toil hard to produce foodgrains for the country and latest technique should be adopted to ensure the safe storage of each and every grain of their produce.

RN Bhargava, Adviser, (SILOS), Food Corporation of India, Delhi apprised the Minister that as per the directions of the NITI Ayog, hundred lakh metric tonnes capacity godowns of silos technique are be constructed in the Country under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode scheme of the central government.

Additional Chief Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Ram Niwas suggested that a committee should be constituted for the management of tender process. The Committee would also make recommendations for appointing advisor for the projects.

Notably, the wheat procurement in Haryana has surpassed last year’s level. A total of 84.39 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of wheat has been procured by the state agencies till now against 74.25 lakh MT last year.

While state agencies have procured over 84.39 lakh metric tonnes, the traders have procured 884 metric tonnes in Haryana.

According to the State Government, more than 33.77 lakh metric tonnes has been procured by Haryana State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED), whereas Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has purchased more than 25.33 lakh metric tonnes of wheat.

District Sirsa is leading in wheat arrival where over 11.56 lakh metric tonnes of the crop had been procured followed by Karnal, which recorded more than 8.99 lakh metric tonnes of wheat arrival.