New Delhi, Aug 03: The Centre today said that a special cell will be formed to monitor foodgrain distribution in flood and drought hit states even as it agreed to open 60 new grain procurement centres in Bihar.
The cell in the food ministry, to be headed by food secretary, would ensure proper implementation of various relief measures, food minister Sharad Yadav told reporters after a meeting with leaders from flood affected Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He said that the demand by the all-party Bihar delegation, including railway miniser Nitish Kumar, MPs and state food minister Purnmasi Ram for creation of three lakh tonne additional storage capacity in the state was also accepted.
The total number of grain procurement centres in Bihar would thus go up to 100 from 40 and storage capacity upto 8.5 lakh tonne from 5.8 lakh tonnes with seven-year guarantee for use, he said, adding that the procurement centres would be operated by the food corporation of India. Yadav said that since he would visit Bihar, where 17 of the 38 districts are hit by floods, on August 6 and 7, the state delegation did not make any demand for relief.
The minister said that the demand made by Uttar Pradesh food minister Baburam for grains at BPL rate was also accepted and the state would get as much as it needs. Three Uttar Pradesh districts are affected by flood.
Assam, which was also to attend the meeting, failed to send its representative, he said.
Bureau Report