Lok Sabha Question No. 879 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-07
Subject: Quantity of Rice and Wheat Procured
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: M. B. RAJESH, SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNPURIA, P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 879

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07 th  FEBRUARY, 2017

QUANTITY OF RICE AND WHEAT PROCURED

879.  SHRI M.B. RAJESH: SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH JAUNAPURIA: SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the quantum of rice and wheat procured for PDS during the last three years and the current year;
- (b) the  quantum  of  the  procured  foodgrains  distributed  through  PDS during the said period;
- (c) whether business companies are engaged in hoarding and profiteering  due  to  increase  in  the  prices  of  foodgrains  and  less  minimum support  price  whereas  farmers  and  consumers  are  continuously  bearing losses; and
- (d) if so, the details of the corrective steps taken in this regard?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a): The total quantity of rice (paddy in terms of rice) and wheat procured for Central Pool during last three years and current year is as under:

## (Fig. in Lakh Metric Ton (LMT))

| Kharif Marketing Season (KMS)   | Rice   |
|---------------------------------|--------|
| KMS 2013-14                     |        |
| KMS 2014-15                     | 320.45 |
| KMS 2015-16                     | 342.17 |
| KMS 2016-17#                    | 275.37 |

# Data reported as on 02.02.2017.

| Rabi Marketing Season (RMS)   |   Wheat |
|-------------------------------|---------|
| RMS 2013-14                   |  250.92 |
| RMS 2014-15                   |  280.23 |
| RMS 2015-16                   |  280.88 |
| RMS 2016-17                   |  229.61 |

(b):  The  allotment  and  offtake  of  wheat  &  rice  under  Targeted  Public Distribution System (TPDS)/ National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Other Welfare Scheme (OWS) during 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 (upto December'2016) are as under:-

(Fig. in LMT)

| Year    | Wheat     | Wheat                  | Rice      | Rice                   |
|---------|-----------|------------------------|-----------|------------------------|
|         | Allotment | Offtake                | Allotment | Offtake                |
| 2013-14 | 270.94    | 220.74                 | 341.05    | 294.15                 |
| 2014-15 | 241.09    | 229.24                 | 372.86    | 355.74                 |
| 2015-16 | 265.82    | 245.30                 | 343.31    | 320.46                 |
| 2016-17 | 270.96    | 189.01 (upto Dec'2016) | 353.57    | 247.62 (upto Dec'2016) |

- (c) & (d): No report has been received regarding hoarding and profiteering of food grains done by the business companies.

Under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (EC Act), hoarding/blackmarketing of essential commodities are criminal and cognizable offences, the power  under the EC  Act is delegated to States/UTs, which are empowered to take action against the hoarders & black marketers and check hoarding of essential items.

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