No space, wheat lying outside FCI godowns
Thursday, 24/05/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120524/punjab.htm#2
Space shortage has assumed alarming proportions with procured wheat stacked on internal roads of FCI godowns in Fazilka and nearby Ladhuka areas. Wheat procured about two weeks back is yet to be lifted despite the tall claims of the government in this regard.
Procuring agencies are required to lift stocks within 72 hours. Market committee sources said nearly 57,000 bags, each weighing 50 kg, purchased on May 4 and thereafter were yet to be lifted from purchase centres at the Ladhuka Grain Market and about 15,000 bags from the border village of Ramkot.
The FCI has procured 2,65,000 quintals of wheat from the Ladhuka market. Of the total wheat procured, about 29,000 quintals (nearly 57,000 bags) are yet to be lifted even after two weeks.
Punjab State Warehousing Corporation has also been directed to procure wheat from the Ladhuka purchase centre but the agency has not procured a single bag so far.
“We have sought a special goods train to send wheat to other states,” said FCI District Manager Rajiv Kumar, admitting that the state godowns were full.Wheat stocks procured by other agencies are also lying in the open on plinths in Fazilka due to shortage of space. Sources say the Punjab Government is yet to “take possession” of godowns that have a storage capacity of 12.5 lakh tonnes each, despite the fact that the FCI has granted clearance to these godowns.
Avinash Kamra, president of the Arhtiya Association, Ladhuka Mandi, said commission agents had to bear the losses on account of unlifted wheat bags losing weight in the summer heat.
