FCI records 141% daily average increase in transporting food grains on April 3 & 4
Food Corporation of India (FCI) recorded a daily average of 1.93 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of food grains transported on April 3 & 4, 2020 compared to a daily average of 0.8 LMT in pre-lockdown India, an unprecedented increase of 141 percent
April 6, 2020: Food Corporation of India (FCI) recorded a daily average of 1.93 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of food grains transported on April 3 & 4, 2020 compared to a daily average of 0.8 LMT in pre-lockdown India, an unprecedented increase of 141 percent.
During the 12 days since the start of lockdown on March 24, FCI has done an average movement of 1.41 lakh MT food grain. A total of 605 rakes carrying about 16.94 lakh MT food grains have been transported across the country during this period.
FCI sets all time record in single day transportation of food grains #India #COVID2019 https://t.co/J1319SX9yV
State-wise ranking of transporting food grains
Punjab accounted for about 46 percent of total food grain movement at 7.73 LMT followed by Haryana (3.02 LMT), Telangana (2.04 LMT) and Chhattisgarh (1.15 LMT). Other states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh etc. moved the rest.
State-wise ranking of consumption
Among the consuming states, maximum induction was done in Uttar Pradesh (2.07 LMT) followed by Bihar (1.96 LMT), West Bengal (1.65 LMT) and Karnataka (1.57 LMT).
Share of northeastern states
Keeping a special focus on the North East, 1.4 LMT food grains have been inducted into the North-Eastern states during the lockdown period. FCI is ensuring that the requirements of every state are met without any shortages. As on April 4, 2020, FCI is having 55.47 million metric tonnes of food grains (31.23 MMT Rice and 24.24 MMT Wheat) in the central pool.
In addition to meeting the regular requirements of food grains under National Food Security Act (NFSA) and additional allocation under PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), FCI is providing wheat and rice directly, without going through the e-auction route, at Open Market sale rates to ensure the continuous supply of food grains in the open market.
Wheat is given for meeting the requirements of manufacturers of wheat flour and other wheat products based on the assessment of requirements done by the respective district magistrates. Rice is given to the state governments for further distribution through their channels. So far FCI has allotted 1.38 LMT Wheat in 13 states and 1.32 LMT Rice in 8 states under this model.