Title : Shortage of rice in FCI godowns at Muzhappilanga, Kannur, Kerala.
SHRI P. KARUNAKARAN : I would like to place before the Government some important issues regarding the FCI godowns in Kerala. There are about 22 FCI godowns in the State. The total storage capacity of these godowns comes to about 5.08 lakh metric tonnes. As per the stock report, they are now storing only 1.08 lakh metric tonnes. Besides, in some godowns, they have no stocks at all. This is the first time that there are godowns without any stock. Take for example the Muzhippilangod godown in Kannur District. There is no stock at all. In some parts of the northern area, that is, Kannur, Kasargod, and Calicut districts, the retail shops take the foodgrains from these main godowns.
Kerala has a very good Public Distribution System. Now, the Government or the FCI has decided to hand over these godowns to the private parties. Two of them have already been handed over, and in regard to two more godowns, they have taken a decision. It would adversely affect the Public Distribution System in Kerala. Since there is no rice or wheat in the godowns, people instead of going to the ration-shops are forced to go to the open market. Now, the price of rice per kilo has gone up to Rs. 32.17. You can see the difference which the people have to pay.
Under the SGRY Scheme and Food for Work Programme, 4,000 tonnes of rice is to be supplied. It is mainly for the Tsunami-affected and flood-affected areas. However, it is not able to give this because of shortage of foodgrains in these godowns.
Therefore, I would request the Government to give adequate foodgrains, especially rice and wheat to the FCI godowns and also to stop the decision to hand over the FCI godowns to private parties. Thank you.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Girdhari Lal Bhargava — not present.