12-07-2025
Joshi outlines food grain distribution plans during FCI warehouse visit
Hubballi: Union minister Pralhad Joshi announced measures for the proper distribution of food grains to eligible ration recipients. The initiative includes identifying fraudulent ration holders, cancelling invalid cards, and ensuring quality food distribution.
During his inspection of the Food Corporation of India's (FCI) warehouse in Unakal, Joshi highlighted the corporation's ongoing efforts to supply food grains according to the National Food Security Act (NFSA). He emphasised the implementation of technology to minimise food waste and outlined specific storage guidelines, including proper medication protocols. Additionally, he noted that transport vehicles now feature GPS tracking for monitoring purposes.
The Unakal facility serves NFSA, PM Poshan, Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP), welfare institutions, and hostel schemes in Dharwad and select taluks of Uttara Kannada district. For 2024-25, the godown released 13,553 metric tonnes of food grains. The Hubballi division, overseeing seven revenue districts, distributed 6,08,270 metric tonnes of rice and 29,423 metric tonnes of wheat across various schemes.
The corporation provided 24,85,799 tonnes of rice free of cost to NFSA cardholders statewide. Under open market sales, 4,60,959 tonnes of rice and 1,05,065 tonnes of wheat were sold to regulate market prices. The PM Poshan scheme received 1,06,895 tonnes for school midday meals. Since Feb, the state govt has acquired 2,42,000 tonnes monthly for the Annabhagya scheme.
The state's food grain procurement includes paddy, ragi, and jola purchases through the central govt's minimum support scheme. Current paddy production stands at 33.4 lakh metric tonnes, with 510 metric tonnes purchased this year. Ragi and jowar production reached 9.4 and 7.7 lakh metric tonnes, respectively, while purchases of 3.5 and 1.93 lakh metric tonnes, respectively were recorded.
Senior officials of FCI and others were present.
