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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1 960
TO BE ANSWERED ON IOTll MARCH, 2026
M o DE RN STORAGE SCHEME
1960 DR, K, LAX MAN :
\ViII the Minister of C'onsulncr Affairs. Food and I)LlbtiC Distribution be pleased to
state
(a): the total I'oodgrain stor:lgc cal)acit\' created ulrdcr the Modern Storage Sclrcnrc and
related initiatives;
(b): \vheLllcr 1110dern silos have been constructed in collaboration \\-'ith private players:
(C): the reduction achieved in i'ooclgrain \\,astage due to nrechalrizcd handling and storage:
and
(d ) : the roadnlap for expanding modern storage to all States by 2030?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a): The Government through Food Corporation of India (FCI) mainly stores wheat & rice
after procurement for PDS operation and to maintain buffer stock. As on 01.02.2026, total
Covered Storage Capacity available with FCI is 470.67 LMT (Owned - 147.20 LN/IT + Hired -
323.47 LIVIT) and 381.92 LMT covered capacity available with the State agencies for storage of
Central Pool food grain stock across the country.
(b) & (c): To improve operational efficiency in storage of food grains with the participation of
private sector, and to upgrade and modernize the storage facilities, Government of India has
approved construction of Steel Silos for bulk storage of food grains across the country under PPP
mode. Accordingly, Silos at 57 locations with capacity 32.25 LMT have been completed (as on
3 1 .0 1 .2026).
Steel Silo storage is a highly automated and modernised method of storing & handling
food grains in bulk. It consists of storage of food grains in monitored atmosphere. Silo is for
mechanized handling of loading and unloading. It ensures better preservation of food grains and
enhances its shelf life. Losses due to theft, pilferage, and transportation would be negligible in
Silos(d): The requirement of Storage capacity i.e construction of new warehouses/silos depends
upon the level of procurement, requirement of buffer norms and Public Distribution System
(PDS) operations for Rice and Wheat mainly. The Government continuously assesses and
monitors the storage gap and based on that, storage capacities are created/hired through Food
Corporation of India(FCI)/Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) via following schemes: -
1. Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme
2. Central Sector Scheme (CSS) “Storage & Godowns” (Focus on NE) 2017-25 (
Culminated on 3 1.03 .2025).
3. Construction of Silos under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode
4. Hiring ofgodown from Central warehousing Corporation (CWC)/State Warehousing
Corporations (SWCs)/State Agencies
5. Hiring of godown through Private Warehousing Scheme (PWS).
6. Creation ofgodowns 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 upgradation & improvement in existing infrastructure/ storage capacity in
correspondence to the use of new technology/ scientific methods are continuous process in the
Government
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