Food ministry to separate procurement, storage of foodgrains

THANE: Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Raosaheb Danve said here today that his ministry would separate the functions of procurement and storage of foodgrains for effective management.

He was answering reporters' questions during his visit to Thane district in Maharashtra, at the launch of the 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana'.

When he was asked about how the present government would deal with the arrest of wastage of foodgrains in storage, he said that in its election manifesto, the BJP had stated how it will deal with the issue.

"The first thing we will do is separate responsibility of procurement and storage of foodgrains. The second major step would be storage of food grains in silos," he said.

He said that special godowns including cylindrical and cap godowns would be put to use.

In reply to a question he said that distribution of foodgrains is the responsibility of the respective state governments which must check blackmarketing.