Union Cabinet approves World’s largest grain storage plan

The Ministry of Cooperation will implement a pilot project in at least 10 selected districts of different states

The Union Cabinet approved the constitution and empowerment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) for the facilitation of the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector through the convergence of various schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

In order to ensure time-bound and uniform implementation of the Plan in a professional manner, the Ministry of Cooperation will implement a pilot project in at least 10 selected Districts of different States/ UTs in the country. The Pilot would provide valuable insights into the various regional requirements of the project, the learnings from which will be suitably incorporated for the country-wide implementation of the Plan.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) will be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Cooperation, with the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Minister of Food Processing Industries and Secretaries concerned as members to modify guidelines/ implementation methodologies of the schemes of the respective Ministries as and when the need arises, within the approved outlays and prescribed goals, for facilitation of the ‘World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector’ by the creation of infrastructure such as godowns, etc. for Agriculture and Allied purposes, at selected ‘viable’ Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).

The Plan would be implemented by utilising the available outlays provided under the identified schemes of the respective Ministries.

The plan is multi-pronged – it aims to address not just the shortage of agricultural storage infrastructure in the country by facilitating the establishment of godowns at the level of PACS.

National Level Coordination Committee will be formed within one week of the Cabinet approval. Implementation guidelines will be issued within 15 days of the Cabinet approval.

A portal for the linkage of PACS with Govt. of India and State Governments will be rolled out within 45 days of the Cabinet approval. Implementation of the proposal will start within 45 days of the Cabinet approval.

The Ministry of Cooperation will implement a