FCI reform panel gets more time to submit report

The eight-member panel, which is studying various models to restructure Food Corporation of India has been given more time of two months to submit its report, government said today.
A high-level committee, headed by Member of Parliament from Himachal Pradesh Shanta Kumar, was constituted on August 28 with a mandate to submit its report within three months.
The panel has not yet submitted the report. "The committee has further been given an extension for two months," Minister of State for Food Raosaheb Patil Danve said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
The FCI, set up under the Food Corporation Act, 1964, is a nodal agency for procurement, storage and distribution of foodgrains to the PDS and other welfare schemes.

Restructuring of the FCI is a campaign promise of the government.
To a question if there are reports of rampant corruption in FCI in the name of proxy labour, the minister said: "No rampant corruption by way of engaging proxy labour has been reported except in Haryana where, upon investigation, it has been noticed that few proxy labourers were hired by the departmental labourers in five depots -- Rohtak, Safidon, Gohana, Sonipat and Sirsa."

The manager of Rohtak depot has been suspended and disciplinary action has been taken against him. The government has initiated disciplinary action against 10 officials and action has also been initiated against labourers, he said.

"Excess payment to the extent of Rs 2,34,079 made to the labourers on account of engagement of proxy labour has been recovered," he added.
On shortage of labourers at FCI depots, Danve said: "There is shortage of 7,509 labourers as against sanctioned strength of 59,344 as on September 30, 2014. Out of 470 depots, labour shortage is in 274 depots."
To another question whether there are reports that huge amounts have been paid to labourers in connivance with FCI officials, the minister said that 370 departmental labourers were paid more than Rs 4 lakh in Maharashtra region in August this year.

Arrears on account of wage revision from January 2012 was paid. "However, the monthly average salary per worker was only to the tune of Rs 1.41 lakh," he said.
In Haryana, more than Rs four lakh was paid in May this year in five depots of Rohtak and Hissar districts. FCI investigated and observed that proxy labour was engaged at these depots, he added.
On use of machine at FCI depots, the minister said that a pilot project of mechanisation in FCI depots has been taken for stacking of bags. Of 2019 depots, it has been taken up only in 27 depots.

Danve also said that the government has taken several steps to improving functioning of FCI and to check corruption.