Punjab to solve wheat storage problem

Faced with the problem of huge shortage of storage space ahead of wheat procurement season 2009-10, Punjab is making effort to find additional space, besides seeking the Centre's intervention to speed up the movement of wheat produce from the state.

In its efforts to tide over the crisis, the state has tied up with private parties to provide open plinths for storing about 23 lakh MT of wheat in the state. "We have made arrangement with private companies to store 23 lakh MT of wheat through open plinths in the state," said a senior official of Punjab food and supply department.

The state has also been assured by the Food Corporation of India for providing 7 lakh MT of storage space for wheat, he further said. About 50 lakh MT wheat is still lying in the open across the state due to the problem. Punjab has a total storage capacity of 170 lakh MT including 105 lakh MT covered space and 65 lakh MT covered plinth area against the total requirement of 220 lakh MT, forcing the state to face shortage of 50 lakh MT.

PTI