UPSC Articles
Food Corporation of India directed to provide grains to NGOs
Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Role of NGOs; GS-III – Marketing of agricultural produce
In News:
- The Government has directed Food Corporation of India to provide wheat and rice to NGOs.
- The food grains will be provided at the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) rates without going through the e-auction process.
Key takeaways:
- FCI has network of more than 2000 godowns in the country.
- Large network of godowns will ensure smooth supply of food grains to these organisations in this hour of crisis posed by COVID-19.
- It will help relief camps in their philanthropic work of feeding poor and migrant workers.
Important value additions:
The Food Corporation of India (FCI)
- It was setup under the Food Corporation’s Act 1964.
- The objectives are:
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- Effective price support operations to safeguard the interests of the farmers.
- Distributing foodgrains throughout the country for Public Distribution system.
- Maintaining satisfactory level of buffer stocks to ensure National Food Security.
- Since its inception, FCI has played a significant role in maintaining food security in the country.
Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)
- It refers to selling of foodgrains by Government/Government agencies at predetermined (decided in advance) prices in the open market from time to time.
