Government of India, which ever party holds power at any given time, has always indulged in fanciful announcements, mostly crafted by the omnipotent bureaucrats but with no urgency to implement them. Latest to emerge from New Delhi is regarding the grandiose plan to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) what ever that means, to "undertake" studies on food problem facing the country. The announcement coming from a junior minister can only raise laughter because the so called SPV will be a lame duck set up with umpteen number of similar groups which have been doing similar studies with no solution in sight for any of the problems faced by the hapless citizens of the country! Have a look at the grandiose statement by the minister which looks ridiculous to most observers familiar with the issues on the food front.
India Government has decided to create a Special Purpose Vehicle to undertake studies of food grain storage, handling and its transport. It will also assess cold chain infrastructure requirements and will endeavour private sector participation in creation of such facilities. A comprehensive study is also being undertaken by the Planning Commission to suggest measures for creation of modern food grain storage infrastructure in the country, according to Prof. K.V.Thomas, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. Inaugurating the national Conference on Policy for Storage of Food Grains the other day, Prof Thomas apprised the audience of steps taken by the Government to create additional storage capacity for food grains in the country. Hes said that his ministry has proposed creation of two million tonnes of additional storage through modern silos. This will be part of about 15 million tones of new storage capacity being created under Public Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) scheme of FCI. Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) is also creating 10,000 tonnes of temperature control storage facilities on pilot basis, the minister said.
The "Aam Admi" person in this country has every right to question the credibility of a government which callously allows thousands of tons of food grains under its custody to rot inviting wrath from even the Supreme Court! What prevented the government from building up the infrastructure for handling and storage of food grains for so many years though adequate funds are available at its disposal? Technology could not have been the constraint and technical man power is available in plenty. What lacks is the commitment and concern about those who go hungry day and night due to poverty, food inflation and hijacking of PDS by grain mafia, probably in collusion with the establishment!
V.H.POTTYhttp://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com
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