Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali on Wednesday asked Food Corporation of India (FCI) to formulate proposal for construction of Silo Storage System in State to achieve scientific storage solutions for food grains.Speaking during a review meeting with FCI representatives, the Minister said, “We have to be futuristic in our approach. The planning should be done keeping population of 2021 in mind.”During the meeting, the Minister asked the FCI to explore the possibility to formulate proposal for construction of three silos.The Minister suggested that three silos including two “baby silos” with capacity of 25,000 metric tons each be constructed in Udhampur, and Anantnag, while a full scale silo with capacity of 50,000 metric tons would be constructed in Jammu district.The Minister said besides making efforts to achieve short term goals, it is imperative that long term planning is also done.“Construction of Silo Storage System will be a major step towards our future planning of State”, the Minister suggested.Highlighting the utility of the modern storage system, Mr. Zulfkar Ali said Silos is a proven scientific storage system of food-grains which ensures zero wastage of food grains caused due to moisture, fungus and rodents.
During the meeting, the Minister also asked to expedite work on formulation of proposals for construction of smaller godowns for left over tehsils under Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme. He added the initiative would greatly help people living in far off areas.Giving details about supply position in State under National Food Security Act (NFSA) General Manager, FCI, Kishore Kumar said the state has sufficient stocks to last for next three month.He said as of date, 85,772 metric tons of rice, and 10,930 metric tons of wheat is available in Kashmir, while 54,200 metric tons of rice and 37,169 metric tons of wheat are available for Jammu division.The Minister was further informed that food grains for 18 months have been stocked for Leh and Kargil.Mr. Zulfkar Ali also directed the concerned officers to ensure the transfer of Lathpora store to FCI at an earliest. Similarly FCI was asked to hand over their food store at Gulab Bagh in coming days.Responding to Lethpora store labourers issue, the Minister said necessary steps should be taken to ensure that laborers do not suffer in any way. He said steps should be taken to accommodate them to carry on with their work. Later, the Minister also sought a detailed update on reconciliation of accounts done by the concerned officers with FCI. He said the process should be completed soon to make sure FCS&CA gets the money pending with FCI, if any. The meeting also discussed Hill transport subsidy issue.Secretary, FCS&CA Shafiq Ahmad Raina, Director FCS&CA Jammu, G S Chib, Director FCS&CA Kashmir Tassaduq Jeelani, Special Secretary FCS&CA Nisar Ahmad Wani, and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.