Central teams sent to assess grain damage in Odisha godowns

Due to recent Cyclone Phailin, godowns of state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporations (CWC) have been damaged in coastal parts of Odisha, government said.

Government on Tuesday said severe cyclone has damaged godowns that have foodgrain stocks of 52,000 tonnes in Jagannathpur and Berhampur in Odisha, while central teams have been sent to assess the quality of grains before supplying it for PDS distribution.

Due to recent Cyclone Phailin, godowns of state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Central Warehousing Corporations (CWC) have been damaged in coastal parts of Odisha, it said.

"The FCI godown at Jagnnathpur, with foodgrain 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 Behrampur, three sheds of CWC godowns have been damaged. The godowns are having foodgrain stock of 38,181 tonnes, it said, adding that senior officials of FCI and State Warehousing Corporation (SWC) have reached the spot.

In view of the reported damage to godowns at these two places, the Centre has directed the FCI officials to get the quality control report prepared about the damaged stocks and ensure quality of grains before issuing it for Public Distribution System (PDS).

Food minister KV Thomas has asked his senior officials to be in constant touch with the state government and ensure immediate action in case of any requirement of foodgrain in cyclone affected areas.

That apart, FCI and CWC as well as SWC have been asked to undertake repairs of the godowns on urgent basis and reconstruct the sheds that have got totally damaged.

Union food secretary Sudhir Kumar reviewed the situation of foodgrain stocks in godowns situated in coastal parts of Odissa on Tuesday.