Lok Sabha Question No. 2663 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Procurement of Fortified Foodgrains by Cooperative Societies
Ministry: COOPERATION
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COOPERATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.   2663 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 th  DECEMBER, 2025

## PROCUREMENT OF FORTIFIED FOODGRAINS BY COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES

## 2663. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

Will the Minister of COOPERATION ( सहकारिता मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is procuring fortified rice, pulses, lintel and peas through Cooperative societies/Federations  for  public  distribution  to  different  types  of  ration  cardholders  in  the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the quantity and rate in INR per kg of fortified rice, pulses, lintels and peas purchased through National level Cooperative societies/Federations during the last five years, State/UT wise;
- (c) the total funds allocated, disbursed and spent for the same during the last five years by National Cooperative societies/Federations; and
- (d) whether the Government has received any plea regarding the issues and problems faced by multi State cooperative societies and federations, particularly from Tamil Nadu and the action taken by the Government in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COOPERATION सहकारिता मंत्री (SHRI AMIT SHAH)

(a):  Fortified  foodgrains  including  rice,  pulses,  lentils  and  peas  are  not  procured  through Cooperative Societies/Federations viz.  National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd (NCCF). However, paddy and raw pulses are procured through them.

Government of India launched a centrally sponsored scheme for fortification of rice with Iron, Folic  acid  and  Vitamin  B12.  The  objective  of  this  scheme  is  to  address  the  prevalence  of micronutrient deficiency in vulnerable section of society by distributing fortified rice under various welfare schemes i.e. Public Distribution System, ICDS, PM-POSHAN, PMGKAY etc. Government of India has approved continuation of the universal supply of Fortified Rice under all schemes of the  Government  including  Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan Anna Yojana  (PMGKAY)  and  Other Welfare Schemes etc. from July 2024 and upto December 2028.

(b) & (c): Not applicable, as no fortified foodgrains including rice, pulses, lentils and peas are procured through NAFED & NCCF.

(d): A memorandum was received from Government of Tamil Nadu with requests pertaining to primary cooperative societies, cooperative banks and PACS. One request which is common to all cooperative societies including multistate cooperative societies and federations is GST exemption for  cooperative  products  and  services.  The  action  taken  by  the  Government  on  the  same  is  as follows:-

Under the recent GST reforms, the rate on milk and paneer has been reduced to nil, while the GST on butter, ghee, cheese, milk cans etc. has been reduced from 12% to 5%. The GST on a broad category of food items including jams, jellies, fruit pulp, fruit juice-based beverages, chocolates, cornflakes, ice creams, pastries, cakes and biscuits has been reduced from 12%/18% to 5%. In the agriculture sector, the GST on key fertiliser inputs such as ammonia, sulphuric acid and nitric acid, as well as on various bio-pesticides and micronutrients has been reduced to 5%. Further, the GST on tractors below 1800 cc and essential tractor components including tyres, tubes and hydraulic pumps has been reduced to 5%, thereby lowering overall input costs for farmers and cooperatives.

The above reduced GST rates are expected to make the products of cooperatives competitive and increase their revenue.

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