Cabinet approves Constitution and Empowerment of IMC for Facilitation of “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector“

The Central Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister on May 31st 2023 has approved the Constitution and Empowerment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) of ‘World’s largest grain storage plan in the Cooperative Sector’.

The central government is to implement it by constituting an Inter-Ministerial Committee under the Chairmanship of Minister of Cooperation, with Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Minister of Food Processing Industries and Secretaries.

According to the press release, the Ministry of Cooperation will launch a pilot project in at least 10 carefully chosen Districts across various States and UTs in the nation to verify the Plan is implemented uniformly and on schedule and in a professional manner.

To facilitate the “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector” by building infrastructure such as godowns, etc. for Agriculture and Allied purposes, at selected “viable” Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), the members may modify the guidelines/implementation methodologies of the schemes of the respective Ministries as and when necessary, within the approved outlays and prescribed goals.

The Schemes involved in the plan:

1. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
2. Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI)
3. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
4. Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
5. Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME)
6. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)
7. Allocation of food grains under the National Food Security Act
8. Procurement operations at Minimum Support Price

The plan will address not just the shortage of agricultural storage infrastructure in the country by facilitating establishment of godowns at the level of PACS, but would also enable PACS to undertake various other activities including Functioning as Procurement centres for State Agencies/ Food Corporation of India (FCI); serving as Fair Price Shops (FPS); setting up custom hiring centers..etc.

Time-frame and manner of implementation of the Plan

• The National Level Coordination Committee will be formed within one week of the Cabinet approval.
• Implementation guidelines will be issued within 15 days of the Cabinet approval.
• A portal for the linkage of PACS with Govt. of India and State Governments will be rolled out within 45 days of the Cabinet approval.
• Implementation of the proposal will start within 45 days of the Cabinet approval.

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