Punjab: Centre approves 22 lakh metric tonnes of new paddy storage space for the state
Punjab: Amid ongoing protests over non-lifting of paddy due to shortage of storage across Punjab, the Center on Monday approved a new storage facility of 22 lakh metric tonnes for the state with Punjab State Warehousing Corporation set to float tenders soon.
Speaking to The Tribune, Union Consumer Affairs and Food Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “We are fully committed to our promise of creating 40 lakh tonnes of storage by December by liquidating previous food grain stocks lying in covered godowns in Punjab.”
On tardy lifting of grain already lying in covered storage spaces in the state, Joshi said, “Evacuation of these stocks from Punjab is our first priority and the highest number of trains are currently deployed for Punjab.”
Nearly 130 rakes (special trains) are currently stationed to help Punjab with the liquidation of previous foodgrain stocks. “Trains are there and we are moving foodgrain as and when we get an indent on the Freight Business Development portal to move the said stock,” a senior Railway Ministry official said.
The Tribune has further learned that Punjab State Grain Procurement Corporation is additionally working on a tender to create 9 LMT new storage space across 30 locations and has received 130 applications for the same. This tender will be finalized by next week.
Coupled with the Centre’s 20 LMT storage approval today, this 9 LMT tender will enable a creation of 31 LMT new space for storage. Currently, 115 LMT foodgrain stock lying in covered godowns remains to be evacuated to make space for new paddy for Kharif Marketing Season which commenced from October 1. Food Corporation of India Chief General Manager Punjab region B Sreenivasan said in October, 15-18 trains had been run daily to clear previous stocks and 8LMT has been lifted, so far. “The target for October is to evacuate 13 LMT of the previous stock. By December we will create 40 LMT storage space and by March 90 LMT. By the time we procure a full 124 lakh tonnes of rice from Punjab by June 30, we will have the entire required space. There is no cause for anxiety,” Sreenivasan said.
Earlier, Food Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak had stated that only 3-4LMT of rice had been moved out of the state since April. The FCI, however, said movement had been taking place since procurement last season. New 22 LMT storage space would ease the pressure, the FCI officials said.
