## Policy Summary: FCI Depot Expansion Plans (July 2025)
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1788 regarding the Food Corporation of India's (FCI) plans to open more base depots in the country, as of July 1, 2025.
The response, provided by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shrimati Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, indicates that FCI is not necessarily focused on "opening more base depots" in a general sense, but rather on strategically increasing storage capacity based on assessed needs. The requirement of storage capacity in FCI depends upon the level of procurement, requirement of buffer norms and Public Distribution System (PDS) operations for Rice and Wheat mainly.
As of July 1, 2025, the total covered storage capacity available with FCI (owned and hired) and state agencies for central pool foodgrain stock is 821.36 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT), broken down as follows:
* FCI Owned: 147.19 LMT
* FCI Hired: 323.38 LMT
FCI continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity, addressing gaps through various schemes:
1. Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme
2. Central Sector Scheme (CSS) - Storage Godowns Focus on NE (2017-2022)
3. Construction of Silos under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode
4. Hiring of godowns from Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC)/State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs)/State Agencies
5. Hiring of godowns through Private Warehousing Scheme (PWS)
6. Creation of godowns on FCI's owned land under Asset Monetization
7. Covered Plinth Hiring (CAP) Scheme (2025)
8. Modified PEG scheme for NE Hilly states with longer guarantee period of 15 years
The Central Sector Scheme (CSS), which focused on construction of owned godowns, was valid until March 31, 2025. Projects undertaken under this scheme were based on storage gap assessments.
Ongoing projects under the CSS include:
* **North East Region:**
* Assam (Kokrajhar): 15,000 MT capacity
* Mizoram (Sairang): 20,000 MT capacity
* Mizoram (Champai): 13,340 MT capacity
* Total NE Capacity in progress: 48,340 MT
* **Other than North East Regions**
* Himachal Pradesh (Mandi): 3,340 MT
The expected completion dates for these projects are as per the conditions mentioned in the tender documents.
Key Entities Referenced
Food Corporation of India (FCI): An organization under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution responsible for food grain procurement, storage, and distribution.
Public Distribution System (PDS): A government-run system for distributing food grains and other essential commodities to the needy at subsidized prices.
Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme: A scheme to encourage private investment in creating storage capacity for food grains.
Central Sector Scheme (CSS): A government scheme for construction of storage godowns, with a focus on the North Eastern region of India.
Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC): A central government organization that provides warehousing services for agricultural and industrial products.
State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs): State government organizations providing warehousing services.
Assam: A state in North East India where FCI is undertaking godown construction projects. Location mentioned is Kokrajhar.
Mizoram: A state in North East India where FCI is undertaking godown construction projects. Locations mentioned are Sairang and Champai.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1788
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30Tll JULY, 2025
FCI DEPOTS
1788. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is planning to open more base depots in
the country; and
(b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done, if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a) & (b): As on 01.07.2025, total Covered Storage Capacity available with FCI (Owned-
147.19 LMT+Hired-323.38 LMT) and State agencies for storage of Central Pool foodgrain
stock is 821.36 Lakh MT.
Further, the requirement of Storage capacity in FCI depends upon the level of
procurement, requirement of buffer norms and Public Distribution System (PDS) operations
for Rice and Wheat mainly. FCI continuously assesses and monitors the storage capacity and
based on the storage gap assessment, storage capacities are created/hired through following
schemes: -
1. Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme
2. Central Sector Scheme (CSS) “Storage & Godowns” (Focus on NE) 2017-25-2-
3. Construction of Silos under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode
4. Hiring of godown from Central warehousing Corporation (CWC)/State Warehousing
Corporations (SWCs)/State Agencies
5. Hiring of godown through Private Warehousing Scheme (PWS).
6. Creation of godowns on FCI’s owned land under Asset Monetization
7. Covered & Plinth Hiring (CAP) Scheme -2025
8. Modified PEG scheme for NE & Hilly states with longer guarantee period of 15 years
Under the Central Sector Scheme, only the projects, based on the storage gap
assessment, were taken up by FCI for construction of Owned Godowns so as to increase the
storage capacity. The scheme was only valid up to 31.03.2025.
The details of godowns being constructed under this scheme along with expected date
of completion is attached at Annexure – A.
88###Central Sector Scheme (CSS) “Storage & Godowns” (Focus on NE)
• Capacib :ss under CSS in North East Regions
State No. of projects Location Capacity (MT) Expected completion
date
Assam Kokrai har 15000 As per the con(m
mc 20000 mentioned in the tender
Mizoram Sairang 10000 document
M izoram Champai 3340
Total
48,340
• Capacity in progress under CSS in Other than North East Regions
SI State Location No. of Capacity (MT) Expected completion date
No Proiects
Himachal Mand 3,340 As per the condition menti(m
Pradesh the tender document