Lok Sabha Question No. 1775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Supplying Suitable Rice
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## MriltsTRY OF GONSUMER  AFFAiRS,  FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.{ 775 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 8TH DEGEMBER,  2021

## SUPPLYING SUITABLE RIGE

## {775. SHRI N.X. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of  GONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD Al{D PUBLTG DTSTRIBUTTON  5qtfrffI arr*, ur6-a 3tt{ Srffi6  fuf{s1 d*  be pleased to state!

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to  supply suitable rice for beneficiaries  under PMGKY/I$DMS;
- (b)  if so, the details  of action taken thereonl
- (c)  whether the Government has assessed the difficulties in supply of rice to beneficiaries of PMGKY/ MDMS in Kerala due to the quality of rlce;
- (d)  if so, the details of action taken thereon;
- (e)  the reasons for supplytng sonamasoori Rice to the beneficiaries of PMGKY/MDMS  ln Kerala;
- (o whether the Government has received requests from Government  of Kerala stating the difficulties in implementation of programme  by supplying Sonamasoori  Rice to the beneliciaries  of PMGKY/MDMS in Kerala;
- (g)  if so, the details  of action taken thereon;
- (h)  whether the Government  proposes to conslder the request for supply of Surekha rice to Government  of Kerala instead of Sonamasoori  Rlce as a part of Ptf,GKY/ MDMS;  and
- (i) if so, the details  of action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPMEI{T AND coNsuMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIOI (sADHVl NIRANJAI{  JYOTI)

(a) and (b): Rice and wheat of prescribed qualaty are dlstrlbuted under PMGKAY/MDM schemes. A total of 456.{4 LMT Rice have been allocated to

States under five Phases  of PMGKAY.

Under MDM scheme (now PM-POSHAN) which is administered  by Department of School Education and Literacyr During 202','22, a total quantity of around 24.02 LNIT has been allocated to States/UTs, as on 31.10.2021.

- (c) and (d):  There is no difficulty in supply of rice to beneficiaries of PMGKY/MDM in Kerata due to the quality of Rice. Stocks conforming  to GoW of India (Gol) specification are issued by Food Corporation  of India (FGl) after proper verification and satisfaction  of State Authorities  and due procedure  of joint sampling followed to issue the stocks under various schemes.
- (e): Government  of lndia allocates rice as  'raw  and parboiledt having Gommon and grade A varieties on the basis of length width ratio.. There is no specific  variety to be issued other than these, by FGl.
- (f) and (g): A letter of Govt. of Kerala addressed "to Gol was received requesting supply of Jaya, Surekha variety of rice instead of Sona masuri rice. lt is clarified that FCt procures rice only in two categories i.e Rice (Grade A) and Rice (Common).
- (h) and (i): For Kerala food grains stocks are transported  from surplus procuring States viz. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Puniab etc. for distribution.

FGI procures rice broadly in 2 grades i.e. Grade A and Gommon. AII types of varieties  grown in lndia are grouped into these 2 grades. ***+**