**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 2964 in Lok Sabha, regarding the status of rice godowns in Lakshadweep. The Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution provides answers related to the maintenance of godowns, delivery of ration commodities, and related guidelines. The expected completion date for roof sheet replacement is January 15th, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Godown Maintenance:**
* The Food Corporation of India (FCI) owns a depot at Androth Island with a total storage capacity of 2,500 MT.
* Regular maintenance activities are carried out as required.
* AC roof sheets are being replaced with pre-coated galvalume profile sheets, along with repairs to truss members and painting.
* Special aluminum-alloy profile sheets (IS 31500 Temper Hx8) are planned for installation due to saline conditions.
* Roof sheet replacement is underway in a phased manner, expected completion by January 15th, 2026.
* **Public Distribution System (PDS):**
* The PDS operates under the joint responsibility of the Central and State/UT Governments, governed by the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
* State Governments are responsible for lifting foodgrains from depots, transportation, handling, delivery to fair price shops, identifying beneficiaries, and issuing ration cards.
* Doorstep delivery of foodgrains to beneficiaries is beyond the purview of the NFSA.
* No proposal for doorstep delivery to differently-abled persons and bedridden patients is currently under consideration.
* **Godown Repair Guidelines:**
* The progress of repair works is monitored to ensure completion within the stipulated time.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Food Corporation of India (FCI)**
* **Impact:** The FCI is responsible for maintaining the godowns in Lakshadweep.
* **Action Required:** Continue regular maintenance activities and ensure the roof replacement project is completed by the specified deadline.
**Stakeholder: State Government (Lakshadweep)**
* **Impact:** The State Government is responsible for the PDS implementation, including delivery of food grains to fair price shops and beneficiary identification.
* **Action Required:** Continue to manage the PDS system within the existing framework of the NFSA.
**Stakeholder: Beneficiaries (Residents of Lakshadweep)**
* **Impact:** The residents of Lakshadweep rely on the proper function of PDS system and godowns for essential foodgrains.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required but rely on the continued operation of the PDS and completion of godown repair.
Key Entities Referenced
National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA): Governs the Public Distribution System (PDS)
Public Distribution System (PDS): System for distributing foodgrains to beneficiaries, governed by the NFSA, jointly managed by Central and State/UT governments
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: The ministry responsible for answering questions about rice godowns and food distribution.
Lakshadweep: Union Territory where rice godowns are located and the subject of the question.
Food Corporation of India: Owns a depot in Lakshadweep and conducts maintenance activities.
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.
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