Lok Sabha Question No. 2163 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-11-29
Subject: Unused Food Items
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: RANJEET RANJAN, PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA, REKHA ARUN VERMA, MANSHANKAR NINAMA, RANJANBEN BHATT, ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH  November, 2016

## UNUSED FOOD ITEMS

2163.

SHRIMATI  RANJEET RANJAN:

SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

SHRIMATI REKHA VERMA:

SHRI MANSHANKAR NINAMA:

SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

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 details of the sugar and other food items lying unused in godowns of FCI due to non lifting short lifting as on date and the reasons therefor, item and State-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  impose  stock  limit  on sugar mills and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  impose  restrictions  on import of sugar and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  sugar  supplied  through  PDS  is  not  reaching  the  targeted
- consumers and if so, the details and corrective measures taken thereon;
- (e) whether the payment of sugarcane dues are still outstanding against the  sugar  mills  and  if  so,  the  details  of  action  plan  formulated  by  the Government  to  ensure  that  sugarcane  growers  are  paid  in  time  by  mill owners; and
- (f) the number of new sugarmills granted permission by the Government to set up in Marathwada region in Maharashtra since 2014

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): Consequent upon de-regulation of sugar sector and introduction of a new system for distribution of sugar through PDS, FCI has stopped dealing in  sugar  since  May,  2013.  Presently,  stocks  of  wheat  &  rice,  which  are more than 2 years old, are not maintained by FCI, except those earmarked for  undertaking various studies. Stocks do not remain unused in FCI, as inflow  and  outflow  of  food  grains  from  FCI  godwons  is  a  continuous process.

- (b): No, Madam.
- (c): No, Madam.
- (d): No, Madam.
- (e): As on 22.11.2016, a total of Rs.1147 crores are outstanding against sugar mills as sugarcane dues of farmers for the sugar season 2014-15 and 2015-16  on  FRP  basis.  The  Sugarcane  (control)  order,  1966  stipulates payment of cane price within 14 days of supply, failing which interest at the rate of 15% per annum on amount due for the delayed period beyond 14 days is payable. The powers for enforcing this provision are delegated and vested with the State Governments/UT Administrations who have necessary field formations. The Central Government from time to time is advising  State  Governments  at  appropriate  level  to  take  strict  action against defaulting mills. State Governments have informed that they have issued  necessary  notices/directions  to  the  sugar  mills  to  clear  pending cane  dues  and  in  some  cases  they  have  initiated  proceedings  for  its recovery as arrears of land revenue
- (f): No  proposal  has  been  received  to  set  up  new  sugar  mill  in Marathwada region in Maharashtra since year 2014.

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