Lok Sabha Question No. 1094 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-24
Subject: Quantum of Foodgrains Stored
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SHARAD TRIPATHI

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1094 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2018

## QUANTUM OF FOODGRAINS STORED

## 1094.   SHRI SHARAD TRIPATHI:

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  total  quantum  of  foodgrains  in  storage  under  the  Government during the last six months, foodgrain-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  use  the  stored  foodgrains  to control their prices in the market;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

A N S W E R MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a): The foodgrain-wise stock stored under Central Pool of the  Government during the last six months is as given below:

(Figures in Lakh MT)

| As on      |   Rice (including un-milled paddy in terms of rice ) |   Wheat |   Total |
|------------|------------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|
| 01.01.2018 |                                               332.52 |  195.62 |  528.14 |
| 01.02.2018 |                                               339.63 |  175.47 |  515.1  |
| 01.03.2018 |                                               328.24 |  151.55 |  479.79 |
| 01.04.2018 |                                               300.43 |  132.31 |  432.74 |
| 01.05.2018 |                                               297.46 |  353.45 |  650.91 |
| 01.06.2018 |                                               295.46 |  437.55 |  733.01 |
| 01.07.2018 |                                               275.57 |  418.01 |  693.58 |

(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. Food Corporation of India (FCI) sells stocks of wheat and rice in excess of stocking norms and strategic reserve in Central Pool in the open market at pre-determined prices through Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic)  [OMSS(D)]  to  enhance  the  supply  especially  during  the  lean season and thereby moderate the open market prices especially in the deficit regions.

Quantum for sale of wheat under OMSS(D) in 2018-19 has been fixed as  100  LMT.  For  Madhya  Pradesh,  Punjab  and  Haryana,  reserve  price  for wheat for second, third and fourth quarters of  Financial Year 2018 -19 has been  kept  as  Rs 1900,  Rs 1925 and  Rs  1950  per  quintal respectively.  For other  states,  railway  freight  ex-Ludhiana  to  the  nearest  railhead  and road transportation cost from railhead to the depot, where sale is undertaken, will be added in the above reserve price. This reserve price includes loading and handling charges for all types of sales including dedicated movement.

Quantum of 20 LMT of Grade 'A' rice has also been kept for sale under OMSS(D) during 2018-19. Reserve Price of rice has been fixed as Rs 2500 per quintal for auction upto 30 th  September 2018. From 1 st  October 2018, it  will be  taken  as  Rs 2500  per  quintal  or  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  derived price (MSP of Grade 'A' Paddy x 1.5), whichever is higher.

(d): Does not arise.

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