Food Ministry teams rush to Odisha coastal area

NEW DELHI: Food Ministry has rushed Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Ware Housing Corporation (CWC) teams to cyclone affected districts of Odisha in view of the reported damage of foodgrain stocks in some of their godowns there.

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Secretary, Sudhir Kumar reviewed the availability of foodgrains in the godowns of coastal areas yesterday evening. He directed senior officials to immediately rush to Odisha to consult the state government about their foodgrainsrequirement and issue foodgrains immediately for distribution under PDS.

In view of the reported damage to FCI and State Warehousing Corporation(SWC) godowns at Jagannathpur and CWC godown at Berhampur, he instructed that before the issue of foodgrain stocks, it should be ensured that quality of foodgrain is usable. He directed FCI to get quality control report prepared about the damaged stocks and based on the needs of state government, arrangements should be made to supply foodgrains to the state from other godowns.

The food secretary also asked FCI and CWC as well as SWC to undertake repairs of the godowns on urgent basis and reconstruct the sheds which have got totally damaged.

Due to cyclone Phailin, FCI Godown at Jagnnathpur, with foodgrain stock of 13,888 tonnes, has suffered partial damage. Roof and wall of one of the sheds have been damaged and some stocks have got wet. SWC godown at the Jagannathpur has also damaged partially. At Behrampur also three sheds of CWC godown have damaged. The godown is having foodgrain stock of 38,181 tonnes

On the directions of the ministry, CMD, SWC and senior officers of FCI have reached in the affected areas.