The food grain storage scheme should be implemented in a timely manner with coordination: Amit Shah

According to Shah, the loan facility to PACS should be expanded and active participation of PACS in the scheme should be ensured

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired a review meeting of the world’s largest cooperative food grain storage scheme in New Delhi.  

Apart from Minister of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Shri Murlidhar Mohol, officials from the Ministry of Cooperation, Food and Public Distribution, Consumer Affairs, Food Corporation of India (FCI), NABARD, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and other institutions were present in the meeting.

Shah said that there are two major parameters to measure economic progress in India—Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment generation. The food storage scheme is meant to strengthen both these aspects, which aims to increase the income of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) as well as create rural employment opportunities. Shah emphasised the need for immediate action to improve the financial condition of PACS by extending the loan period under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

Emphasising the extensive involvement of PACS in the food storage scheme, the Union Minister of Cooperation said that it is necessary to make PACS an integral part of this scheme so that the financial viability and social effectiveness of PACS can be ensured. He directed the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution and Food Corporation of India to conduct national-level mapping of warehouses across the country so that the implementation of the scheme can be done smoothly according to regional requirements. Shah also instructed FCI, NCCF, NAFED and State Warehousing Corporations to connect PACS with as many warehouses as possible.

It was also decided in the meeting that states should involve more PACS at their level in the scheme, and state level marketing federations should also be linked with it so as to develop a complete cooperative supply chain.