FCI to set up new godown in Solan’s Arki

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is exploring the possibility of setting up a godown in the Arki sub-division to facilitate storage of wheat and rice from the area. The need to set up a new godown was felt after an existing godown was dismantled for constructing a tunnel at Dhalli in Shimla while four-laning the Shimla-Dhalli highway.

Land has been identified at Palania Gram Panchayat, near Bathalag, and the district administration, along with FCI officials, is finalising the procedures for its transfer. A 14.5-bigha plot has been earmarked for the new godown.

Advisor Coordination Nandita Gupta said the details for the godown's establishment were being worked out. "The FCI General Manager informed about the land selection for the godown in Arki sub-division, as well as another one in Sunni tehsil of Shimla district, during a meeting on November 21," she said.

On November 29, FCI officials and the Additional Deputy Commissioner jointly inspected the site.

According to state government's policy, government land can be transferred between departments and, in the case of the FCI, can be done by way of lease. The FCI has been asked to apply for the lease to facilitate the construction of the said godown.

Solan Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma was directed to process the case for setting up the FCI godown. The Deputy Commissioner said under the state government''s new policy, land was now leased for 40 years, down from the previous 99-year term.

The new godown will cater to Solan and Shimla districts, along with the Anni and Nirmand areas of Kullu district, and will supplement the smaller godown in Tapri, Kinnaur, said an official from the Food and Civil Supplies Department. At present, the FCI operates a godown operated by the Central Warehousing Corporation at Kather in Solan, three others at Kiar village, Parwanoo and Kalijhinda in Barotiwala.