MP Baghel speaks about importance of Fortified Rice

Bhilai, Nov 25: Food Corporation of India, Durg Depot celebrated Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav program with pomp and gaiety. MP Vijay Baghel, who was present as the chief guest, said that the employees of the corporation put their lives at stake to continue their services even in the most difficult times of Corona epidemic. They did a commendable job of ensuing the supply of rice to the common people.
Baghel said that Food Corporation of India has done a great job by helping the common people in the time of Corona crisis. During that period, all the activities had come to standstill and people were not leaving their homes. But the staff of FCI continued to work for ensuring supply of food grains to the common people. From the last Diwali till now, about 600 lakh metric tonnes of rice has been allocated. Out of this, about 5 lakh metric tonnes have been allocated in Durg district since January 2021.
To celebrate 75 years of Progressive India and its glorious history, ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ was celebrated in Durg by Food and Public Distribution Department. Speaking about the importance of fortified rice, Baghel said that it is also being made available to make children and women well-nourished. During the program, information was given about the programmes being run by the Corporation’s Durg Depot for the welfare of farmers and laborers.
On the occasion, MP Vijay Baghel said that the functioning of the Food Corporation of India is not directly related to the common people, but the corporation itself continued to supply cheap rice, due to which all sections of the society were benefitted from the ration shops during corona crisis. Food grains were available and people could get cheap rice. He added that due to the opening of warehouse at the railway station in Durg, the local transporters are getting a lot of work. At the same time, employment opportunities have increased for the local workers. Bufpalveer Singh, Divisional Manager of Food Corporation of India Durg, Assistant General Manager Sapan Kumar, and Assistant General Manager, Regional Office, Raipur, Gagan Kumar Mishra were also present in the programme. Various achievements of FCI were explained in detail. Divisional Manager Bufpalveer Singh spoke about the implementation of online system in local depots under Digital India campaign and live telecast of CCTV in public domain for ensuring transparency. Fortified rice which is being provided to the women and children and FCI is procuring this rice according to the rules of the government. In the allocation of fortified rice, Chhattisgarh has been ranked second in the entire country. In this way the Food Corporation of India is in ensuring the food security of the country. Gagan Kumar Mishra, Assistant General Manager, Food Corporation of India, Raipur, Radha Mohan Jangid, Manager, Food Corporation of India, Durg, Nitin Agarwal, Manager, Food Corporation of India, Durg, Food Corporation of India, Manager of Durg Ashutosh Singh, Dhananjay Chatare, labor representatives, Chittaranjan Samal, Dinesh Pawar, and truck union representatives, workers’ representatives, farmers and common people were present in large numbers. It needs to be mentioned here that under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava’ programme, several activities, seminars, webinars and other programmes were organized by the Food and Public Distribution Department at various places across the country. Activities related to sensitizing and spreading awareness about fortified rice were carried out by the department. Presentations were made on ‘India’s journey in PDS reforms to ensure food security’ highlighting the importance and impact of technology on PDS and the country’s experience in ensuring food security during the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities were discussed and reported.
FCI’s own godown is available for storage of about 70000 metric tonnes of food grains with the Durg depot, whereas about 1.21 lakh metric tonnes of food grains have been stored here. Rice is being supplied from Durg Depot to the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Kerala etc. Departmental officials informed that the fortified rice that is being provided now has helped a lot in providing nourishment to women and children.
—