Executive Summary:
This document provides information regarding silos in Punjab in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 539. It details the current number and capacity of silos, plans for construction of additional silos, transportation costs, and reasons for the reduction of commission paid to commission agents (Arhtiyas). The information pertains to data from the last five years up to the current year 2025-2026.
Key Points / Main Content:
Current Silo Status:
There are 15 operational silos in Punjab with a combined storage capacity of 9.65 LMT.
Silo Construction Plans:
Construction of silos with a capacity of 10.875 LMT at 26 locations is underway in Punjab.
Tenders for silos with a capacity of 7.125 LMT at 16 locations are under evaluation for construction in Punjab.
Wheat Transportation Costs (Mandi to Silo):
Transportation costs from Mandi to Silos for wheat per quintal incurred by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) during the last five years and the current year in various districts:
2020-2021: ₹27.81 in Faridkot, Gurdaspur and Patiala.
2021-2022: ₹27.81 in Faridkot, Gurdaspur and Patiala.
2022-2023: ₹24.40 in Faridkot and ₹27.81 in Patiala.
2023-2024: ₹53.40 in Amritsar, ₹23.40 in Faridkot, ₹47.75 in Gurdaspur, ₹27.81 in Ludhiana, ₹44.30 in Moga, ₹26.30 in Patiala, ₹48.80 in Sangrur.
2025-2026: ₹51.62 in Amritsar, ₹24.40 in Faridkot, ₹39 in Gurdaspur, ₹40.48 in Ludhiana and ₹30.11 in Moga.
Note: 2025-2026 rates are tentative as state agencies have not submitted the claims.
Arhtiyas Commission Reduction:
The commission paid to Arhtiyas has been reduced due to fewer activities involved in wheat procurement under Silo operations.
This practice is uniformly applicable across all States, including Punjab, in silo operations.
Impact Analysis:
Food Corporation of India (FCI):
Impact: FCI is involved in the construction of new silos and bears the transportation costs of wheat from Mandi to Silos.
Action Required: Continue overseeing silo construction and managing wheat transportation logistics, and submit transportation cost claims.
Arhtiyas (Commission Agents):
Impact: Reduced commission due to fewer activities in silo operations.
Action Required: Adapt to the reduced commission structure for wheat procurement in silo operations.
State Government (Punjab):
Impact: State government owns some of the operational silos.
Action Required: Oversee the management and operation of existing silos.
Farmers:
Impact: Indirectly affected by the improved storage infrastructure and potentially by changes in the procurement process.
Action Required: No direct action specified in the document.
Key Entities Referenced
Punjab: A state in India where the silos are located and where the policy is focused.
Food Corporation of India (FCI): The primary agency responsible for the construction and operation of silos and procurement of foodgrains.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for food management and distribution, overseeing the FCI.
SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL: The Member of Parliament who raised the question about silos in Punjab.
SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA: Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, who provided the answer.
Wheat: The primary foodgrain being stored in the silos discussed in the document.
Arhtiyas: Commission agents involved in the procurement of wheat, whose commission rates are discussed.
LMT: Lakh Metric Tonnes, a unit of measurement for the storage capacity of the silos.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 539
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23m JULY, 2025
SILOS IN PUNJAB
539. SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
(a) the details of current number of silos in Punjab and their combined capacity;
(b) whether the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is planning to construct more silos for
storage of foodgrains in Punjab and if so, the number of silos proposed to be constructed,
district-wise alongwith the tentative date of their completion;
(c) the total transportation cost from Mandi to Silos for wheat per quintal incurred by the
FCI during the last five years and the current year; and
(d) the details of reasons for significantly reducing of commission of wheat from Rs.
46/quintal to Rs. 23/quintal, the commission paid to arhtiyas (commission agents) in Punjab?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIMATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
(a): Currently there are 15 operational Silos in Punjab with total storage capacity of 9.65
LMT. Details are at Annexure-I.
(b): Silos of 10.875 1,MT capacity at 26 locations are under construction in Punjab. Details
are at Annexure-II.
Further, tenders for a capacity of 7.125 LMT at 16 locations are under evaluation for
construction of Silos in Punjab. Details are at Annexure-III.-2-
(C): Transportation cost of wheat incurred by FCI (From bZlandi to Silo) (Rs. Per quintal ):-
i
Year Amritsar Faridkot ! Gurdaspur i Ludhiana MDga Patiala Sangrur
020-21 No Wheat meTa –R \VIiit ! 27.81 27.81 No 27.81
Receipt Receipt ReceIpt \Vheat
Receipt
mIn m
2021 -22 27.81 27.–8 1 -Na [N–olfiM
No Wheat Receipt l?.eceipt Wheat Receipt
Receipt Receipt
2022-23 No Wheat 24.40 No Wheat 278–1 22 77 No Wheat
Receip+ Receipt Receipt
023-24 53.4 23.40- 47.75 27.81 ,4.30
26ni3i
48.8+ 25.6 35 iQ3
2025-26+ I 51.62 24.4 39 40.48 30, 11
’bTentati.ve rates as state agencies has not submitTed the clajms.
(d): Due to lesser number of activities into]ved in procurement of wheat under Silo operations
through Arthiyas, the commission to Arhtiyas has been reduced. The aforesaid practice is uniformly
applicable across all States, in silo operations, including Punjab
# # # #Annexure –I
!)perational Silos in Punjab:
Capacity
SL Location Agency (FCI/ State Govt)
(in LMT)
1. Moga FCI 2.00
?- Kotkapura FCI 0.25
3. Barnala FCI 0.50
iI
Patiala FCI 0.50
5. Sangrur FCI 1.00
6. Batala FCI 0.50
7. Chhehreata FCI 0.50
8. Sahnewal FCI 0.50
9. –Malout FCI t .50
10. Jagraon FCI 0.20
11. Moga FCI 0.20
12. Sunam State Govt 0.50
13. Malerkotla State GOv 0.50
14. Ahmedgarh State Govt 0.50
15. Mulechak SRa Cmc 0.50
Total 9.65
Note: Si]os at SI No. 10 & 11 are concrete silos.
8>b>k8Annexure-II
Under Construction Sjlos in Punjab
Capacity in LMT
SL
ILocation
1 IDhuri 0.5
I
no
0.375
[i mr 0.25
4 IKhanauri 0.25
F ma 0.5
i
Ma 0.75
7 iPatran 0.75
me
8 0.375
[i
He 0.25
10 ba 0.375
MI
11 0.25
na
12 0.5
ham
13 0.75
14 0.25
ISadiq
15 FigiT 0.25
16 IMacchiwara 0.375
km
17 0.375
18 ILudhiana 0.25
maIn -J
19
20 Rillanwali
I
2 1 IPanniwala 0.25
22 IMehrajwala 0.25
23 INluktsar 1.00
24 IBhaliana 0.375
25 IGidderbaha 0.5
m)
IB
0.5
ITotal 10.875
# $ 88&Annexure-III
Silos under tender eval IIation in Punjab:
SI.No Location Capacity in MT
mIn)
1 huI 50,000
2 Bhuchchu 37,500
3 Maur 50,000
4 aoniana 50,000
5 Budhlada 50,000
6 Mansa 25,000
7 Bhikhi 50,000
8 Sardulgarh 50,000
9 Bareta 25,000
10 Phillaur 50,000
11 Dudhan 50,000
12 Muktsar 50,000
13 Moga 50,000
14 Shakot 25,000
15 Zira 50,000
16 Dharamkot 50,000
Total
7,12,500
$888