Parliament Question: Rice Godowns in Lakshadweep

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2964 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2025 RICE GODOWNS IN LAKSHADWEEP

2964. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

(a): whether the Government is aware of the inordinate delay in carrying out the maintenance and repair works of rice godowns located in various islands of the Union Territory ofLakshadweep;

(b): if so, the reasons for the delay and the steps being taken by the Government to expedite the maintenance of these godowns to ensure safe storage and uninterrupted distribution of essential foodgrains;

(c): whether the Government has any proposal to introduce or strengthen door-to-door delivery of ration commodities for differently-abled persons and bedridden patients across the islands;

(d): if so, the details of such a scheme including its implementation mechanism, funding support and monitoring framework; and

(e): whether the Government is likely to consider issuing special guidelines to ensure timely repair of godowns and provide priority services to vulnerable beneficiaries in Lakshadweep and if so, the details thereon ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)

(a) & (b): The Food Corporation of India owns a depot at Androth island in the Lakshadweep Islands with a total storage capacity of 2,500 MT (two units of 1,250 MT each). Regular maintenance activities are carried out as per requirement.

At present, the work of replacing the AC roof sheets with pre-coated galvalume profile sheets, along with repairs to damaged truss members and painting of the godown and ancillary structures is being carried out as per requirement.

Due to the harsh saline conditions, a special aluminium-alloy profile sheet (IS 31500 Temper Hx8 confirming to IS737) has been planned to be installed. However, due to lack of availability of the required material, seasonal non availability of sea routes for transport andconstraints of labour availability in island, the roof sheet replacement was undertaken in a phased manner and is expected to be completed by 15th January 2026.

(c) & (d): The Public Distribution System (PDS) is governed as per the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFS A). The PDS under the Act is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/UT Governments. The operational responsibilities including lifting of foodgrains from the designated depots, transportation & handling within the State, delivery of foodgrains upto the door step of fair price shops through authorised agencies, identification of beneficiaries, issuance of their ration cards and distribution of foodgrains to beneficiaries as per their entitlements through fair price shops rests with the State Government.

Delivery offoodgrains at door-step of beneficiaries is beyond the purview of the Act.

Presently, no such proposal for door-step delivery of foodgrains for differently-abled person and bedridden patients, is under consideration of the Government.

(e): The progress of all repair works is monitored from time to time to ensure that all the works get completed within stipulated time. gcSe SeSeSq