65% foodgrains of central pool lying in open in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Haryana government's claims of creating more space for storage of food stock are being questioned as over 65% wheat and rice stock of central pool is kept in the open in the state.

With the Centre yet to lift 39.36 lakh tonne grains procured between 2009 and 2011, there is no space for paddy arriving and wheat expected to arrive after three months.

"The food secretary has already assured to expedite the movement of 30 lakh tonne stock through special trains. We have also started the process to acquire land through village panchayats for creating additional godown space to store 30 lakh tonne,'' T C Gupta, principal secretary, food and supplies, said.

According to documents of department of food and supplies, over 60.83 lakh tonne foodgrains out of 95.13 lakh tonne is lying in the open.

Vijay Setia of Rice Exporters' Association, Haryana, said, "Storage plays a key role as far as nutritional value of grain, especially rice, is concerned. Poor storage has resulted in downgrading of quality of rice."

Stock position

Total stock | 95.13 lakh tonne

Stored in open | 60.83 lakh tonne

Stored in godowns | 34.29 lakh tonne

Old stock | 39.36 lakh tonne

Agencies involved

FCI, Food & Supplies Department, Haryana Agro Industries Limited, Confed, Hafed and Haryana Warehousing Corporation