All blocks to have godowns

27 April 2012

biswabrata goswami
TAMLUK, 27 APRIL: The state government plans to build storage godowns in all blocks in the state within five years. This is meant to help with increased procurements of foodgrains, and to reduce the storage of grains in piles of sacks covered with waterproof materials.
 The state government has sent a circular to the district administrations, including East Midnapore's, asking them to locate sites. According to the circular, the godowns will be designed to ensure safe storage of grains for at least four months.
 "Identification of khas lands for setting up godowns in 10 out of 25 blocks in the district has already started," said Mr Mamud Hossain, saha-sabhadhipati of East Midnapore Zilla Parishad. "Blocks with high production of foodgrains and inadequate storage facilities are at the top of the priority list for godowns."
 According to the circular, the central government will provide financial assistance to the state governments for construction of new foodgrain storage facilities in rural areas. "Along with the agriculture ministry, the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution will extend monetary support for storage and maintenance of buffer stocks in the states," a senior administrative official said.
 Mr Sisir Adhikari, a Trinamul Congress leader and Union minister of state for rural development, said: "According to the ministry, if the plan is implemented properly, new godowns in rural areas will take extra storage burdens from food-producing blocks in the state. Our government has started mitigating the storage burden of food-producing districts across the state."
 Under the scheme, the Food Corporation of India will now give private entrepreneurs a guarantee of 10 years of assured hiring. A capacity of about 151 lakh tonnes is to be created in 19 states under the scheme, through private entrepreneurs and central and state warehousing corporations.
The government has finalised a plan for the construction of a storage capacity of 1.5 lakh tonnes in West bengal, said Mr Adhikari.