Don’t let grains rot : SC

The Centre agreed that food grains were rotting due to record procurement in the last three years without matching storage facility, prompting the Supreme Court to suggest free distribution of food grains to millions of hungry instead of letting it rot in the open. The remarks came from a bench after additional solicitor general Mohan Parasaran read out food secretary Alka Sirohi’s affidavit virtually admitting shortage of storage facility. The bench said: “If this is the position, then increase the storage facility by constructing godowns in every district. But not a single grain of food should be wasted. If due to lack of storage facility food grains are rotting, then distribute it free to those hungry. The government could also increase the allocation to families covered under BPL and AAY schemes.”
The court also took a serious view of the Centre’s allegation that though it was releasing adequate quantity of food grains, the states were not giving the assured 35 kg of grains per family per month under the PDS. It asked the state governments to file an affidavit within a week on this anamoly.