Lok Sabha Question No. 1236 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Procurement of Rice
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1236

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 DECEMBER, 2018

## PROCUREMENT OF RICE

1236. DR. PRABHAS KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there has been a decline in the quantum of rice procured by the Government agencies and they are lagging behind the targets fixed for 2018-19 in different States;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the reasons  therefor  indicating  the targets  fixed and  achieved  along  with  the  quantum procured  by  private agencies and the prices paid by the Government and private entrepreneurs, State and UT-wise;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  also received  complaints  indicating irregularities in procurement affecting the farmers; and
- (d) if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the Government  to  ensure  adequate procurement facilities so that farmers are able to get minimum support price for their produce?

## A N S W E R

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

- (a) & (b): There is no decline in the procurement of paddy in terms of rice during Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2018-19. The procurement of paddy in terms  of  rice  during  KMS  2018-19  (as  on  12.12.2018)  is  209.53  LMT,  as compared to 191.84 LMT in KMS 2017-18 (as on 12.12.2017).

(c) & (d): No complaint of irregularities in procurement affecting farmers has  come  to  the  notice  of  Department  of  Food  and  Public  Distribution, Government  of India. Following steps are taken to ensure adequate procurement facilities, so that farmers are able to get minimum support price for their produce:

- i) Before the onset of each marketing season, Department of Food and Public  Distribution,  Government  of  India  (GOI)  holds  a  consultative meeting  with  the  officials  of  Food  Corporation  of  India  (FCI),  State Governments  and  others  to  make  an  assessment  of  availability  of wheat and paddy/rice for procurement at MSP based on the prospects of production and market situation.
2. ii) Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  operations  are  given  wide  publicity through pamphlets, banners, sign boards radio, TV and advertisements through print & electronic media.
3. iii)   Farmers  are  made  aware  of  the  quality  specifications  and  purchase system etc. to facilitate the farmers to bring their produce conforming to the specifications.
4. iv)   Procurement  centres  are  opened  by  respective  State  Government Agencies/    Food  Corporation  of  India  (FCI),  taking  into  account  the production, marketable surplus, convenience of farmers and availability  of  other  logistics  /  infrastructure  such  as  storage  and transportation  etc.  Large  number  of  temporary  purchase  centres,  in addition to the existing Mandis and depots/godowns are also established at key points for the convenience of the farmers.
- v) FCI and many State Governments have developed Online Systems for procurement.

****