Acting on a representation submitted by the FCI Employees Association (CITU), Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Shri John Brittas has taken up with the Hon'ble Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution the crucial issues relating to continued dependence on CAP/Open storage of food grains and the urgent need for scientific storage infrastructure in the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
The intervention follows a detailed memorandum submitted by the FCI Employees Association (CITU), highlighting the serious risks associated with storing food grains in CAP/Open storage facilities, particularly in regions experiencing heavy rainfall and high humidity. The Association had urged immediate policy intervention to prevent deterioration and wastage of valuable food grain stocks.
In its representation, the Association pointed out that the acute shortage of covered storage space and increased procurement have compelled FCI to resort to CAP storage across the country. However, climatic conditions in several states, especially Kerala, make open storage highly unsuitable and vulnerable to damage during prolonged monsoon seasons.
The memorandum also referred to observations made by statutory audit agencies, including the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), regarding substantial losses caused by spoilage of food grains stored in open facilities. It further highlighted that the shrinking workforce in FCI has adversely affected regular maintenance, fumigation, and preservation activities.
The FCI Employees Association (CITU) urged the Government to discontinue further construction and renovation of CAP/plinth storage facilities and instead focus on establishing modern scientific storage systems such as steel silos, mechanized warehouses, and climate-controlled storage facilities.
Another significant demand raised by the Association was the free or subsidized distribution of surplus food grains to economically weaker sections through enhanced allocation to consumer states. The representation recalled the observations of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India advocating the distribution of excess food grains to the poor rather than allowing them to deteriorate in storage.
The FCI Employees Association (CITU) has welcomed the timely intervention of Shri John Brittas and expressed confidence that the Government will take necessary steps to strengthen India's food security system through scientific storage practices while ensuring that surplus food grains reach the needy sections of society.
The Association reiterated that it will continue its efforts to safeguard the interests of employees, protect the Food Corporation of India, and uphold the larger objective of national food security.
