Plan afoot for smooth foodgrains movement across the country

NEW DELHI: The Food Ministry is working on a plan for smooth movement of foodgrains across the country for the effective implementation of the ambitious food security legislation.

"Several meetings have been held with FCI and Railways for formulating a plan for smooth movement of foodgrains in different parts of the country," an official said.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Railways have been asked to furnish relevant inputs for formulation of such a plan by the Department of Food & Public Distribution, he said.

FCI is tasked with storage, movement, transport, distribution and sale of foodgrains and other foodstuffs across the country.

Once these inputs are received, the Department will finalise the National Foodgrains Movement Plan, the minister said.

The scheme is part of efforts by the Department to remove irritants in the fast and safe movement of foodgrains from the place of procurement to distribution.

Around 65 million tonnes of foodgrains are ferried from one place to other every year in the country.

Shortage of Railway rakes and location of FCI godowns at limited venues have been frequently reported by states.

Now with the government gearing up to put in practise the proposed National Food Security Act, which aims at providing subsidised wheat and rice to over 63 per cent of the country's population, removing bottlenecks in transportation of foodgrains is considered as an important task.

The Food Security legislation, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in the Winter Session of Parliament in 2011, is unlikely to be taken up in the Budget Session as Parliamentary Committee on Food is yet to send its report. It is expected to come for approval in Parliament in the Monsoon Session.