Govt allows NGOs to buy food grains directly from FCI for for relief operations

NEW DELHI: The government has allowed Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and charitable organisations to lift wheat and rice directly from godowns of Food Corporation India (FCI) for feeding poor during the nation wide lock down.
The food grains will be available on a price at which FCI sells to bulk purchasers, state governments and flour millers. FCI sells rice at Rs 2,250 per quintal and wheat at Rs 2,135 per quintal in open market.

“These organisations can purchase one to 10 tonnes of food grains at a time from across 2000 godowns of FCI at the market price without participating in any auction. We will intimate details of such purchases to respective district magistrates who may ensure that the foodgrains are utilised for the intended purpose,” said an FCI official.

Meanwhile, FCI has transported 2.2 million tonnes of food grains to various parts of the country to help states distribute subsidised as well as free food grains to 810 million people under the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana, which entitles them free allocation of 6 kg of rice or wheat for next three months.

As on April 7, FCI has 54.42 million tonnes of foodgrains which include 30.62 million tonnes of rice and 23.80 million tonnes of wheat.

“We are closely monitoring the stock position of states and union territories and we will ensure steady supply,” the official said.

Apart from providing food grains for various government schemes, FCI is regularly providing rice under OMSS directly to state governments and wheat to flour Mills based on the recommendations of respective district magistrates to stabilize supply and prices.

“So far 1.45 lakh tonnes of wheat and 1.33 lakh tonnes of rice has been allotted during the lock down period to bulk buyers ” the official said.