Railways to only load foodgrains procured by FCI, states: Lalu
To ensure availability of foodgrains for the Public Distribution System, the Railways have decided not to load wheat procured by private entrepreneurs.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: To ensure availability of foodgrains for the Public Distribution System, the Railways have decided to only load wheat procured by the Food Corporation of India and state governments and not those procured by private entrepreneurs.
"I want to inform the House that barring foodgrains procured by the FCI and state governments, wheat procured by private contractors will not be loaded in railway wagons," Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said winding up discussion on Demands for Grants passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
"The Railways will not load wheat of the contractors as we want to tighten control over them. They are rampantly hoarding foodgrains and are reaping huge profits out of it," he told the House in the backdrop of growing concern over inflation and fears of food riots expressed by some members.
The Minister said the hoarders do not care about common man and are insensitive to their plight.
"They are exploiting the masses and are indulging in profiteering. The Railways would do whatever is needed to provide relief to people."
He said Railways have received huge number of indents from the FCI and have begun loading foodgrains in the wagons.
"We will not allow dearth of wheat in any part of the country. There has been enough production of wheat in India including Bihar. State governments should ensure enough procurement to meet needs of its people," the Minister said.
"We will fill FCI godowns with foodgrains," Prasad said and pointed out that hoarders procure wheat from farmers at a nominal price and sell it only when the market is tight.
The Lok Sabha also passed the Appropriation (Railways) Bill.
"I want to inform the House that barring foodgrains procured by the FCI and state governments, wheat procured by private contractors will not be loaded in railway wagons," Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said winding up discussion on Demands for Grants passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
"The Railways will not load wheat of the contractors as we want to tighten control over them. They are rampantly hoarding foodgrains and are reaping huge profits out of it," he told the House in the backdrop of growing concern over inflation and fears of food riots expressed by some members.
The Minister said the hoarders do not care about common man and are insensitive to their plight.
"They are exploiting the masses and are indulging in profiteering. The Railways would do whatever is needed to provide relief to people."
He said Railways have received huge number of indents from the FCI and have begun loading foodgrains in the wagons.
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"We will not allow dearth of wheat in any part of the country. There has been enough production of wheat in India including Bihar. State governments should ensure enough procurement to meet needs of its people," the Minister said.
"We will fill FCI godowns with foodgrains," Prasad said and pointed out that hoarders procure wheat from farmers at a nominal price and sell it only when the market is tight.
The Lok Sabha also passed the Appropriation (Railways) Bill.
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