GUWAHATI, SEP 19: The Food Corporation of India (FCI), divisional office Dibrugarh in collaboration with its regional headquarters Guwahati organised a national and state level media visit at Food Storage Depot (FSD) Chaulkhowa in Dibrugarh on Monday.
The event was also attended by Jugananda Changmai, deputy director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Dibrugarh alongwith representatives of farmer bodies, gaon panchayat samanay samiti and beneficiaries of various PDS and other welfare schemes (OWS) being implemented by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
The primary objective of the stated visit was to showcase to the general public, through media channels, about the overarching activities undertaken by FCI in terms of ensuring remunerative prices to farmers, storage of food grains, preservation/QC techniques and supply chain logistics.
Further, the benefits accruing to the targeted beneficiaries through the supply of Fortified Rice under the prestigious PM-Poshan scheme was also intended to be highlighted.
FSD Chaulkhowa, the venue for the programme, is the flag-ship depot of FCI in Dibrugarh district and has been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring seamless supply of food grains to the public distribution system under the Dibrugarh and Charaideo revenue districts.
Talking to mediapersons, S. Borthakur, Divisional Manager FCI,DO Dibrugarh said that during the Covid-19 pandemic from March 2020 till August 31, 2022, a total of 224 food grain rakes had been handled at FSD Chaulkhowa inducting a phenomenal quantum of around 3.58 Lakh MT food grains.
“A total of 2.75 Lakh MT food grains were lifted from FSD Chaulkhowa by the State appointed agencies for further distribution into the PDS network of beneficiaries. Due to such record handling of food grains and its scientific management, seamless distribution of food grains under NFSA and PMGKAY schemes could be ensured during the testing times of Covid-19 pandemic. FSD Chaulkhowa is also involved in the distribution of the nutritional Fortified Rice (FRK Rice) under the prestigious PM-Poshan scheme” Borthakur informed.
It was informed that a total of around 10,100 MT FRK Rice had been distributed to beneficiaries under PM-Poshan and WBNP schemes and she also requested the people gathered in the venue to spread awareness among the consumers about fortified rice so that prevalent myths can be effectively debunked.