The State Government has said the cyclone Phailin has damaged silos in Jagannathpur and Brahmapur that have foodgrain stock of 52,000 tonne, while Central teams have been sent to assess the quality of grains before being supplied for distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Due to the cyclone, godowns of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporations (CWC) have been damaged in the coastal parts, it said. “The FCI godown at Jagannathpur, with food grain stock of 13,888 tonne, has suffered partial damage. Roof and wall of one of the sheds have been damaged and some stocks have got wet. An SWC godown at the Jagannathpur has also been damaged partially,” an official statement said.
Similarly at Brahmapur, three sheds of CWC godowns have been damaged. The godowns had foodgrain stock of 38,181 tonne, it said, adding that senior officials of FCI and State Warehousing Corporation (SWC) have reached the spot to assess the damage.
In view of the damage to godowns, the Centre has directed FCI officials to get the quality control report prepared on the damaged stocks and ensure quality of grains before issuing it for PDS. The Centre has also asked officials to make necessary arrangements for supply of foodgrains to States for PDS from their godowns based on the needs of the Odisha Government.
Union Food Minister KV Thomas has asked his senior officials to be in constant touch with the Odisha Government and ensure immediate action in case of any requirement of foodgrains in cyclone-hit areas.
Besides, the FCI and the CWC as well as the SWC have been asked to undertake repair of the godowns on an urgent basis and reconstruct the sheds that have got totally damaged.
Union Food Secretary Sudhir Kumar reviewed the situation of foodgrain stocks in silos situated in the coastal parts of Odisha on Tuesday.