Key Update

Kerala plans to retain only essential warehouses operated by the Civil Supplies Department and Supplyco. As part of a restructuring initiative, the department will close unnecessary facilities, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob said.

The State currently operates 177 National Food Security Act (NFSA) warehouses through the department. Supplyco manages another 56 warehouses. However, a departmental review found several facilities unnecessary, poorly maintained or unsuitable for scientific storage. A preliminary assessment suggests that Kerala may not need all 177 NFSA warehouses. The Minister has directed the Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs to assess storage requirements and submit a report.

Food Grain Wastage and Financial Burden

The Minister attributed the situation largely to the 2019 allocation of warehouses without adequately assessing storage requirements or establishing clear standards. Inspections have found that the department uses several buildings with inadequate storage capacity and insufficient basic facilities to store food grains.

These shortcomings have led to food grain wastage and increased the government’s financial burden through rental expenses. A team comprising Supplyco depot managers, district supply officers and taluk supply officers will inspect warehouses across all districts. The department will discontinue obsolete and unnecessary facilities and invite Expressions of Interest (EoIs) to identify new warehouses that meet scientific storage standards. The government aims to complete the restructuring process within three months, the Minister said.

Focus on Scientific Storage Facilities

The government will prioritise warehouses that meet scientific storage requirements, provide access points on all four sides, and ensure efficient transportation. It plans to establish these facilities either under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model or through rental arrangements.

Source: The Hindu