FCI reform: Adani presents views on grains storage, movement

NEW DELHI: A high level committee set up to recommend ways to restructure state-run FCI, in its second meeting today, viewed presentation made by Adani Logistics on bulk storage and movement of foodgrains.

That apart, the committee, chaired by MP and Former Food Minister Shanta Kumar, discussed various studies conducted earlier on working of Food Corporation of India.

These studies include McKinsey's research on 'Efficiency of FCI', IIM Ahmedabad's on 'Food subsidy and Investment', International Food Policy Research Institute's (IFPRI) study on 'Subsidies and pro-poor growth in rural India' and a study done on 'Long Term Food Grain Policy'.

"..committee discussed the creation of modern storage facilities and bulk handling of foodgrains. It also viewed the presentation by Adani Logistics Pvt Ltd on bulk storage and movement of food grains," an official statement said.

In last meeting, the corporation has invited suggestions from public and stakeholders, including private sector firms, on management of foodgrains.

FCI is the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains. On August 20, the Centre had set up a high- level committee to suggest various models to restructure the FCI, which plays a key role in strengthening public distribution system (PDS).

The committee is comprises of FCI Chairman and Managing Director, Secretary Electronics & IT Ram Sewak Sharma, former CACP Chairman Ashok Gulati and Dean IIM Ahmedabad G Raghuram.

Dean, School of Economics, University of Hyderabad, Gunmadi Nancharaiah, Punjab Food Secretary D S Grewal were among other are other members of the panel.

The panel was also suppose to be attended by the all executive directors of the corporation.

Meanwhile, in the meeting FCI Chairman and Managing Director C Viswanath exhorted all the members to study the decentralised procurement system, which would be discussed in the next meeting of the Committee on September 26 and 27.