SHRI YADAV REVIEWS FLOODS-DROUGHT SITUATION
Shri Sharad Yadav, Minister of Consumer
Affairs, Food and Public Distribution reviewed the situation arising
out of heavy rains and floods as well as drought in several parts
of the country with senior officers of the Ministry and Food Corporation
of India here today. Shri R.D. Kapur, Secretary, Department of
Food and Public Distribution and Shri Naresh Chaturvedi, Managing
Director, FCI were among the officers present.
It was decided that in all the drought-affected
and flood-affected regions of the country FCI will ensure at least
two months’ requirement of foodgrains in all its godowns in these
states. Special arrangements will be made to rush foodgrains in
areas wherever it is required.
A special meeting will be convened
by the Minister by the end of this week to assess the requirement
of foodgrains for the States of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Assam.
This is in view of the situation arising out of unprecedented
rains in these States as well as to discuss measures to be taken
to tackle drought situation in certain parts of UP.
Shri Yadav also reviewed the stock
of damaged foodgrains with the Central Pool. The existing stock
unfit for human consumption is only 1.63 lakh tonnes out of the
total stock of 630.11 lakh tonnes and it was decided that FCI
would take immediate action to offer this stock of damaged foodgrains
as cattle feed to State Governments. The Minister also instructed
the officers to constantly review the flood and drought related
operations and remain in continuous touch with the officers of
the Ministry of Agriculture on a daily basis.
