FCI clarifies

With reference to “Why FCI can’t assess its actual stock” (August 28) by Shyamal Gupta, Food Corporation of India writes: The statement that “FCI doesn’t know how much foodgrain stock exists in reality (physically) against stated stock in paper” is factually incorrect and misleading. FCI maintains full transparency and every region files a daily, fortnightly, monthly stock statement of the foodgrains held by it under central pool through an online reporting system.

FCI has an effective and robust system of physical verification of stored foodgrain which is undertaken periodically in the FCI depots at least once in each quarter. Any discrepancy in physical stock level vis-à-vis declared on paper is immediately detected. Therefore, there is no question of FCI being ignorant of its stock position at any point of time. Further, the report says that siphoning off huge quantity of grains in the guise of waste is a major issue at FCI. This is not substantiated by facts. FCI maintains strict quality control norms to minimise wastage and loss of foodgrain. Foodgrain is issued strictly by the FIFO (First in First out) principle.

Preventive and curative treatment is regularly undertaken. Well-equipped quality control labs have been set up at district level. Due to all these measures, the percentage of foodgrain damaged in FCI during 2013-14 was a mere .047 per cent of the total foodgrain issued during the year. Further, storage losses, which were mainly related to moisture in grains, have been reduced to 0.22 per cent in 2013-14 due to its strict stock control management systems. To further enhance the security of stocks, FCI has installed CCTV cameras in more than 60 depots on a pilot basis.

With regard to PDS supplies, FCI’s responsibility is confined to the issue of foodgrain to State governments after their full satisfaction as to quality and quantity. FCI issues over 40 lakh tonnes every month to State governments and there have been no complaints from any State about the quality of supplies.

Vinay Kumar

Asst General Manager (Public Relations), FCI

Pat on the back

The performance of the Government in its first 100 days reveals an effort to bring about radical changes in administration. The rise in GDP to 5.7 is an indication of basic change. The Government’s policies such as allowing FDI in important sectors, improvements in infrastructural works and, above all, the strong stance taken in improving administrative set-ups and avoidance of delays in taking decision are definitely steps that will spur rapid economic growth. But there are important items which call for quick action, such as fiscal stability, CAD, boosting of manufacturing sector and adoption of schemes to raise industrial and commercial operations. Even sops like tax incentives could be considered to enhance investments. Rapid infrastructural development will raise productivity and thus galvanise GDP.

TR Anandan

Coimbatore

Modi’s promise of red carpet over red tape to Japanese investors is welcome and laudable. For the first time, we are seeing an Indian Prime Minister confidently declaring his intentions and promises. There is every chance he will adhere to his promises as exhibited during his Gujarat run. Already we are hearing how his government has effectively changed the mindset of the bureaucracy operating at the Centre. Modi's promise to Japan can be relied upon.

VS Ganeshan

Bangalore

Well deserved

The United Bank of India’s decision to declare Kingfisher and its chairman Vijay Mallya as wilful defaulters for non-payment of ₹400 crore dues to the bank is a brave move and deserves to be applauded. The grounded airline company has come under fire from various quarters for its lackadaisical attitude and has made little or no effort to wipe out its debts or pay dues to the tax authorities and other agencies.

The chairman is also guilty of squandering crores of rupees on the IPL and other interests. Other banks would do well to emulate UBI and label Mallya and Kingfisher as wilful defaulters.

NJ Ravi Chander

Bangalore

Plus and minus

This refers to the editorial “A lighter shade of green” (September 2).The first quarter GDP growth data for the current fiscal is a shot in the arm for the Modi government which has completed 100 days in office. But the previous UPA government also deserves credit for the Q1 results. It seems the Indian economy is bottoming out. A feel good factor is now prevailing in some sectors of the economy. But to carry forward the momentum, more out of the box measures are needed. Also more steps should be taken to contain inflation. The announcement of massive investment in the infrastructure sector by Japan augurs well. The Prime Minister’s ‘Make In India’campaign has the potential to make India the manufacturing hub of the world. No doubt, manufacturing and infrastructure will be the drivers of the Indian economy in the coming years.

Kiran Jose

Pala, Kerala

The most negative and disturbing thing about the first 100 days of the Modi government is that it has seen a rise in communal temperature. With the BJP in power with such a majority, the Adityanaths of the world have felt emboldened to spread communal hatred and incite riots, often in the name of virulent nationalism. Clearly, there is a direct correlation between the BJP in power and a deterioration in relations between communities. Modi’s studied silence has amounted to an endorsement of the unchecked rise in the incidents of violence against religious minorities. His deafening silence defeats the promises of ‘ acche din ’, ‘ sabka saath ’ and ‘ sabka vikas ’ as ‘good governance’ and ‘development’ are not possible in a vitiated social atmosphere.

Since Modi’s assumption of power it has been a ‘one-man show’. Even senior leaders were sidelined and snubbed. Modi’s stranglehold on the Government has clearly manifested itself in the over-centralisation of power in the PMO. The gag on his Cabinet colleagues has reduced them to dwarf ministers and brought about an information blackout. How long the simmering dissensions within the Government can be bottled up remains to be seen.

On the economic front, things are not as buoyant as made out to be. The 5.7 per cent GDP the Government boasts of pertains to the quarter from April to June, for which it can take little credit. His calling off the secretary-level talks on the flimsy ground of Pakistan envoy’s talks with Kashmiri leaders and his unprovoked and uncalled-for reference to ‘expansionism’ in Japan aimed at China are illustrative examples of the flips-flops in the much-touted foreign policy. All in all, the Modi government does not rate the thumbs up.

G David Milton

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

The Indian economy shows signs of expansion in the wake of a stable, pro-growth government. Modi’s shrewdness lies in his diplomatic moves to garner the support of neighbouring countries and close allies as it is very crucial for regional cooperation. At the macro level, he wants to form a strong alliance of like-minded nations to have their ‘say’ heard at international events. His recent visits to Bhutan, Nepal, Brazil and Japan have strengthened our relationship with these nations politically and economically. At the micro level, he has sought the support of all political parties in India to build a dynamic nation.

S Lakshminarayanan

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

It is too premature to evaluate the performance of the NDA government. There is no magic wand to bring down prices as the Government needs to take slew of measures and get its act together.

The country is never free from communal violence political parties unabashedly indulging either in minority appeasement, majority bashing or doing anything to flare up the spark to become an inferno. Need anybody stress that the State administration has to take preventive steps to browbeat elements who promote hatred?In the absence of effective governance, vested interests have ingenious ways to use the opportunity to fuel communal violence. Opposing for the sake of opposition is of no use.

HP Murali

Bangalore

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Keep the judiciary free

A person who occupied a superior post should not be demoted to a lower post. The post of governor is a tool for ruling parties to humiliate leaders who were once in other parties. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure the highest standards of judicial independence and to defend against even the faintest trace of governmental influence on the judiciary. As judicial independence depends entirely on maintaining an incorruptible detachment from the Government of the day, it cannot be open for lobbying for comfortable post-retirement postings. Sathasivam’s posting will create a “post retirement job” syndrome among judges and it could place judges potentially open to governmental influence.

KA Solaman

Alappuzha