FDI IN RETAIL : Alternative Options For Saving Wastage of Foodgrain – Vivek Sanghi

दिल्ली मैं आप की सर्कात्र ने शीला दिक्सित का फैसले को पलट दिया जिसमें उन्होंने दिल्ली मैं विदेशी खुद्र्रा  व्यापार को अनुमति दे दी थी. यदि विदेशी न भी आयें तो भी हमें खाद्यान्न व् फल सब्जियों की बर्बादी को तो रोकना ही चाहिए . देश का व्यापारी वर्ग यह खतरा नहीं उठायेगा क्योंकि अभी खतरों से खेल कर् व्यापार बढाने  की मानसिकता नहीं आई है . इस लिए यह काम सरकार को करना पड़ेगा. परन्तु राष्ट्र हित मैं खाद्यान्नों की बर्बादी रोकना आवश्यक है . हमारे अमूल , नाबार्ड जैसे कोआपरेटिव बड़े बड़े काम भी कर सकते हैं . उनका उपयोग भी किया जा सकता है .

श्री विवेक सांघी के इस लेख मैं तथ्यों पर गहराई से विचार किया गया है .

There is considerable heat and controversy with rigid stances for and against FDI in retail, however
do we realise that we waste upwards of Rs 13,000 Cr of  our vegetables and fruits and Rs 27000 Crore
of Grains  before it reaches the market. For the produce to reach the market there are multiple transactions,
octrois, duties,  mandi taxes etc. the title of the produce gets transferred at least 4~5 times before it reaches the consumers. The producer does not have the sustenance to hold his produce in  order to fetch better prices
as also make his produce travel beyond the local mandi. The intermediaries either borrow money at upwards of 15% to 24% in order to finance their business as bank credit is rarely restored to and have to pay steep
rental charges ( close to interest rates ) if the produce needs to be stored.
In contrast, AMUL the dairy cooperative is today Rs.2540 Crores  procuring 13 million lit per day from 16914
societies covering 24 districts with 3.18 million milk producers. Similar success is of Mother Dairy and Dhara Oil. Private initiatives such as ITC of E- Chaupal are pointers thereof.
The  question comes up is Why can not the Government of India and India’s States not take the initiative to grow the sector by exponentially. Why are we harping for Multi Nationals when Indian Cooperatives, Public
Sector and Private sector have demonstrated their capability and success.

On the  flip side under MNREGA the Government of India spent Rs.>> 33000 Cr p.a. for local panchayat
work, the work as is generally understood is  temporary and is more in the nature of first digging and then
filling a  ditch, in short there  are no long term advantages and in addition,financing by  NABARD and Public
Sector Banks priority sector loans need to be studied for   the quantum spent ( mind you not invested ) and the outcomes if at all. The amount  spent each year by the Banks is upwards of Rs 2 Lac crore and the
outcomes are questionable and recovery next to impossible.

We could establish drawing from Nabard, AMUL , Khadi Udyog and private sector and undertake the following :

Establishing Cold Storage
Chains & Grain Storage
facilities that are most
modern in every 4 panchayats
that is adequately sized to
hold the produce locally
produced. The receipt
of which,
should be an
instrument that can be traded (sold & purchased ) or
securitised.
Banks be mandated that   financing the receipts and
would be considered for  Establishing Cold Trucks
and Vans to move the produce from the Cold Storage to
the Wholesale Market Railways to earmark
passengers trains that can carry the produce from the
station to the   distribution points, on refrigerated wagons in
addition to the break vans  leading to higher haulageand earnings withing 8~ 16
hours from collection     to distribution points We have 227,000 panchayats in

India and if we were toe stablish 50,000 cold storage of 10,000 Sq M each
, across India at Rs 6 Cr per cold storage, it would require  an investment of Rs 3 lac Crores.

The value of additional  produce not wasted is estimated at Rs. 50000 Crore p.a. alongwith
efficiency, empowerment and uplifting the Indian economy as a whole and particularly
rural India In addition, it would provide opportunities for the food  processing industry, who,
witnessing the Government plan, would participate and
develop this much further.

Imagine the fillip it could provide to the Indian industry for establishing the above infrastructure :
Cement, Steel,,Construction   Companies Heavy / Medium Commercial  Vehicle manufacturers
Lighting, Airconditioning  and allied services providers Local employment.
A serious thought and attempt could make the life of the ordinary small farmer to industry a boon and add significant to the growth and development of industry
We could therefore  invite FDI in Retail with a condition to invest in warehousing and cold
storage in villages and panchayats. Say an MNC coming to India should be willing to invest

Rs 1500 Crore over two years of which 60% has to be in Cold Storages / Warehousing in Rural area.
This could meet the   dual objective of foreign investment and growth.