MP NEWS: Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection Minister Shri Govind Singh Rajput has directed that warehouses must be inspected and physically verified as per regulations. Strict action should be taken against officials who show negligence in this duty. Along with storing procured food grains, efforts should be made to find alternative commercial uses for the vacant capacity in government warehouses. Maximum utilization of government warehouses must be ensured. These directives were issued by Minister Rajput during the board meeting of the Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation.
Notice to Officials for Not Revising Storage Charges
Since 2016, the corporation has not revised its annual storage charges. Minister Rajput instructed that notices should be issued to the concerned branch heads, general managers, and other responsible officials for the delay in revising these rates. He also approved the implementation of new rates from April 1, 2025, as per regulations.
Comprehensive Coverage in the New Insurance Policy
Minister Rajput emphasized that the new insurance policy proposed by the corporation should include not only the provisions of the existing policy but also maximum coverage for additional losses. He directed that the new policy be implemented immediately.
Set Time Limits for Storage in Warehouses
The minister instructed that a specific time limit should be set for storing procured food grains in warehouses. The use of mechanized seed segregation machines should be ensured, and the quality of these machines should also be tested. He instructed that the corporation should promptly recruit staff on a contractual basis for vacant positions, including those in the construction branch. The company will be responsible for negligence in handling paddy stocks in 2020-21 and must compensate for the financial losses incurred by the corporation. The government’s stance should be strongly defended in the ongoing arbitration case. Minister Shri Rajput alerted the corporation authorities that the recruitment process for persons with disabilities should be completed within the stipulated time frame. He instructed that Storage on open platforms should be permitted only in essential cases. Signboards should be installed in warehouses displaying information about available facilities. Effective repairs, cleaning, and painting of warehouses should be carried out, and necessary funds for these tasks should be allocated in the 2025-26 budget.
During the meeting, Food Commissioner Shri Karmveer Sharma suggested developing an app for warehouse inspections, which would provide real-time updates. Warehousing Corporation Managing Director Shri Anurag Verma presented an overview of the corporation’s activities, while other board members also shared suggestions.