Lok Sabha Question No. 1495 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-11
Subject: Procurement of Paddy
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Annpurna Devi

## GOVERilMEilT OF INDIA

## mliltsrRy oF GoNSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD &  pUBLtc  DISTRIBUTIOL DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLTG DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED OUESTION }IO. {495 TO BE AIIISWERED ON {{th FEBRUARY, 2O2O

## PROCUREME||T OF PADDY

## t1495.  SHRIMATI ANilPURilA DEV!:

Will the Minister of  GOilSUilIER AFFAIRS,  FOOD AND PUBLIG DISTRIBUTIOil  5tr!ffifrT  q'rfiil,  utr.q stt srftrhq  trilur ri* be pleased to state:

- (a)  the details of the steps taken for procurement of paddy directly from the farmers of the State of Jharkhand this year;
- (b)  whether the entire stock of paddy of the farmerc could not be procured due to ror-?v?ilability of godowns necessary for purchase  of paddy in Jharkhand;
- (c)  the reaction of the Government theretol
- (d)  whether the Government  has any proposal  to give bonus to the f,armerc for making provision  of procurement of entire paddy  stock of the farmels in Jharkhand;
- (e)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (0 lf not, the reasons therefor?

iltll{lsTER  OF STATE FOR MTNISTRY OF GOiISUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD &

ANSWER PUBLIG DISTRIBUTIOIII (sHR! DANVE RAOSAHEB DADARAO)

(a): Jharkhand is a partial Decentralized  Procurement  $ystem (DGP) State for paddy procurement  since KMS 2016-17. Accordingly, procurement of paddy is carried out by FGI as well as State GovernmenUAgencies in their respective  clusterc.

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The procurement policy of Government of lndia (GO!) is open ended, under which paddy and wheat offered by farmels within the stipulated period (conforming  to specifications  prescribed in advance  by GOI) are purchased  for Gentral Pool at tinimum Support Price (tlsP) by Food Gorporation  of lndia/ State Governments/ State Government Agencies to help farmens get remunerative price and prevent  distress sale. However, if any producer/farmer  gets better price in comparison  to MSP, he/she is free to sell his/her produce in open martet.

The following steps are taken to  ensure that farmerc  get remunerative  price for wheat and paddy:

- i) Before the onset of each marteting season, Department  of Food and Public Distribution,  Government of lndia (GOl) holds a consultative meeting with the officials of Food Gorporation of lndia, State Governments and othens to make an assessment  of availability of wheat and paddy/rice for procurement at MSP based on the prospects of production and martet situation.
2. ii) Minimum Support Price operations are given wide publicity through pamphlets, banners, sign boards, radio, TV and advertisements  through print & electronic media.
3. aia) Farmers are made aware of the quality specifications and purchase syrstem, etc. to facilitate bringing their produce conforming to the specifications.
4. iv) Procurement centres are opened by respective State Government Agencies/ Food Gorporation  of lndia, taking into account the production, marketable surplus, convenience of farmerc and availability of other logistics  / infrastructure  such as storage and transportation, etc. Large number of temponry  purchase centres, in addition to the existing Mandis and depots/godowns  are also established at  key points for the convenience of farmers.
5. (b) and (c): There has not been any repoded instance of rorpurchase of paddy due to non-availability  of godown. Entire quantum of paddy that arrived in mandis/  purchase centers have been purchased  by FGI/State  Government  Agencies. Against the martet arrival of 48483 MT paddy, entire paddy i.e 48483 MT has been procurcd in Jharkhand during KMS 2O19-2O (as on O4.O2.2O2OI.
6. (d) to (e): State Government  of Jharkhand has announced a bonus of Rs {E5 per quintal over and above MSP during KMS 2O19-2O  to encourage and support farmens.

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