Safe and Scientific Storage of Food Grains under PDS

Government of West Bengal
Food and Supplies Department
11A, Mirza Ghalib Street, Kolkata-700 087

No. 1707-FS/Sectt./Food/4P-9/2012 (Pt-II) Dated: 21.07.2014

ORDER

In view of coming into force of the West Bengal Public Distribution System (M & C) Order, 2013 and its subsequent amendment vide No. 1284-FS/Sectt/Food/4P-09/2012 dated 06.06.2014 published in the Kolkata Gazette, and in keeping with various reforms undertaken by the Department for safe and scientific storage of food grains to be utilised under PDS it has become necessary and expedient to adopt a uniform policy in respect of specification of storage godowns both for FPS and Distributors.

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the EC Act, 1955, the Governor is pleased hereby to make the following guidelines to be followed while inviting applications for new licences and in case of renewal of licences. The existing dealers/ distributors shall also upgrade their godowns accordingly within 6 (six) months from the date of issue of this order.

F.P.S. (Fair Price Shop)

1. The size of the godown should be minimum 400 sq. ft. along with a covered space of 2.00 sq. ft. adjacent to the godown to be used for office purpose and for FPS automation.
2. There must be a shade in front of the shop to accommodate at least 20 people who may wait in the queue in consonant with point 23, NB-1 of ‘Form C’ of the W.B.P.D.S (M&C) Order, 2013.
3. The Godown must be a well-ventilated pucca structure with concrete floor.

Distributor

1. The size of the godown should be to accommodate at least 1000 MT of food grains along with a space of 25% for provision of alleys in between the stacks of different commodities with view to keeping the stock of each commodity separately and neatly arranged for easy identification. There must be a covered space of 200 sq ft adjacent to the godown to be used for office purpose as well as for computer operations.
2. The minimum height of the godown should be 15 feet high.
3. The Godown must be a well-ventilated pucca structure with concrete floor.
4. Equivalent Insurance coverage should be there to cover the loss of food grains due to any natural or manmade disaster.

This order shall also be applicable while processing vacancies for which enquiries may be ongoing or complete but have not been approved by the Department for engagement, or issue of licence.

ANIL VERMA, IAS
Principal Secretary to the
Government of West Bengal &
Commissioner, Food.

No. 1707-FS dated 21.07.2014