Drive to improve storage of food grains, says Paswan

The Central Government and FCI has taken a major initiative of improving the storage capacity in the States of Punjab and Haryana, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan, said here on Saturday.

Addressing a news conference here, he said that while Silos of 4 LMT are under construction in Punjab by FCI, more silos of 21 LMT in Punjab and 9.5 LMT in Haryana respectively are being proposed to be built by FCI and State Governments.

Paswan said that the efficiency of Food procuring agencies has also increased over the year thereby improving the management of food grains. He apprised that in Punjab State, 44 per cent of Urban and 54 per cent of rural population have been covered under PDS while it is 29 per cent of urban and 71 per cent of rural population for state of Haryana. He said that total Number of Ration Card Holders in Punjab and Haryana is 35.26 lakh and 26.50 lakh respectively.

The Minister said that State of Punjab and Haryana procured 127 lakh metric ton (LMT) and 87 LMT Wheat respectively during Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2017-18 against the production of 166 LMT and 117 LMT of Wheat.

On the procurement of paddy, Paswan said during Kharif Marketing Season 2017-18, State of Punjab and Haryana procured 176 LMT and 59 LMT Paddy against the production of 201 LMT and 67 LMT. Punjab and Haryana also procured 118 LMT and 40 LMT Rice against this procurement of Paddy.