Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Warehouse Corporation (OSWC) presented a cheque of ₹4.36 crore as a dividend to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhavan today. The dividend pertains to the financial years 2019-20 and 2020-21.
On this occasion, Minister for Cooperation, Handlooms, and Textiles, Pradeep Bala Samanta, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Cooperation, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, and Managing Director of OSWC, Mihir Prasad Mohanty, were present.
The Corporation has consistently remained profitable due to the efficient utilization of its storage capacity, enabling it to pay regular dividends to its two shareholders: the State Government and the Central Warehousing Corporation. For the financial years 2019-20 and 2020-21, OSWC reported profits of ₹6.36 crore and ₹22.72 crore, respectively. As a result, a total dividend of ₹8.73 crore, equivalent to 30% of the combined profit, was distributed equally between the State Government and the Central Warehousing Corporation. Each partner received ₹4.36 crore.
Established in 1958, OSWC operates 68 warehouses across all 30 districts of Odisha, with a total storage capacity of 5,21,400 metric tonnes. These warehouses primarily provide scientific storage and transportation services to the agricultural sector. They play a critical role in storing food grains procured by the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC Ltd) and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for distribution under the Public Distribution System and other welfare schemes.
The warehouses also store food grains, oilseeds, pulses, and millets procured by agencies like NAFED and TDCC Ltd, ensuring that farmers receive the minimum support price for their produce while avoiding distress sales during harvest. Additionally, OSWC facilities are vital during natural calamities like floods and cyclones, serving as reliable storage locations for food grains to support affected communities.
Beyond storage, OSWC warehouses provide livelihood opportunities for local communities and engage in cooperative activities related to transportation and storage. The corporation is committed to expanding its warehousing capabilities and enhancing operational systems to meet the evolving needs of stakeholders.
