FCI should set up "Model Depot" in each state and formulate Citizens Charter: Minister

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan today suggested that Food Corporation of India (FCI) should set up a "Model Depot" in every state and formulate a "Citizens Charter" to improve its image among the people, besides publicizing its achievements.

"There should be a Model Depot of FCI in every state which can be shown as a benchmark for storage facility of food grains," Shri Paswan said after making an inspection at the FCI headquarters here.

The minister, who held discussions with senior officers of the FCI, took stock of the preparations being made and reviewed the preparations for procurement of kharif crops and total storage capacity in the country. He also asked the officials to work with determination and sincerity.

Paswan advised that General Managers (Region) should hold press conferences on a fortnightly basis and explain to the media the role and responsibilities of FCI. The media may be briefed about the stock levels, procurement, stock being issued by FCI and movement of food grains.

The minister also inspected the Quality Control Lab of FCI and visited staff canteen of the FCI headquarters.

Earlier, Paswan launched a cleanliness drive under 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' at the FCI headquarters with an appeal to the employees to wholeheartedly join the countrywide cleanliness campaign.

"Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a laudable and robust campaign being launched on October 2 by the NDA government at the initiative of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. October 2 is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who was not only a votary of peace but also a practitioner of cleanliness in his day-to-day life," he added.

"We must strive to make this national campaign a huge success," the minister said as he wielded a broom along with FCI employees outside the headquarters.