SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 509.91 metric tonnes (MT) of non-issuable or damaged foodgrains in Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns over the five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26, with the losses falling sharply from 261 MT in 2021-22 and 248 MT in 2022-23 to just 0.91 MT in the subsequent three years, according to data placed before the Lok Sabha.
The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said 261 MT of foodgrains accrued as non-issuable or damaged stocks in JK in 2021-22, followed by 248 MT in 2022-23, while the figure was nil in 2023-24. The reported quantity stood at 0.09 MT in 2024-25 and 0.82 MT in 2025-26.
The data show that JK accounted for a relatively small share of the total foodgrain stocks reported as non-issuable or damaged across the FCI network during the five-year period. The national figures in the annexure indicate that the highest cumulative quantities were recorded in Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, with substantial year-to-year variations.
The Ministry said no central pool foodgrains had been damaged due to poor, dilapidated or inadequate storage arrangements in FCI godowns. It said only a very negligible quantity becomes non-issuable or damaged, mainly because of natural calamities such as cyclones, flash floods and rain.
Across the country, the economic loss reported from damaged foodgrains was Rs 2.5 crore in 2021-22, Rs 2.5 crore in 2022-23, Rs 14.5 crore in 2023-24, Rs 13.9 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 3.2 crore in 2025-26. The Ministry did not provide a separate State-wise or UT-wise economic loss figure in the annexure supplied with the reply.
The Union Government said every case involving damaged foodgrains is investigated through a three-tier categorisation committee system at the divisional, regional and zonal levels. During the period under review, 18 employees were held responsible following investigations, and disciplinary action was taken against those found responsible.
On modernisation of storage infrastructure, the Government said silos were being constructed across the country under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Silos at 76 locations with a combined capacity of 39 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) have been completed, while construction at 59 locations with a capacity of 25.625 LMT is under way.
Under Hub and Spoke Phase-II, tenders have also been awarded for construction of 25.125 LMT of silo capacity at 54 locations under the Design, Build, Finance, Own and Operate (DBFOO) model, spread across 17 bundles/projects. Concession agreements have been signed for 21.25 LMT of capacity at 48 locations covering 15 bundles/projects.
The Ministry’s response did not specify a separate time-bound target or silo construction plan exclusively for Jammu and Kashmir. It said the modernisation programme was being implemented as part of the wider national effort to improve scientific storage, reduce wastage and strengthen the country’s foodgrain storage infrastructure.
