Lok Sabha Question No. 127 (STARRED), answered on 2016-07-26
Subject: Food Security
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 127

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH  JULY, 2016

## FOOD SECURITY

- *127. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

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 the food security situation in the country is eroding on account of increasing shortage of foodgrains and other food items and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  production,  procurement, demand and supply of foodgrains during the last three years;
- (c)  whether  the  private  companies  procure  foodgrains  directly  from  the farmers at prices higher than those fixed by the Government for procurement through its agencies;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the quantum of foodgrains procured by the said companies along with the rates  at  which  the  said  procurement  has  been  done  during  the  said  period, year-wise?

## A N S W E R

MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM  VILAS PASWAN)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (e)  OF  THE  STARRED QUESTION NO. 127* DUE FOR  ANSWER ON  26.07.2016 IN THE LOK SABHA

(a): There is no shortage of foodgrains to implement the food security in the country under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The stock of foodgrains in Central Pool as on 01.07.2016 is 548.50 lakh tons, against the buffer norms of  411.20  lakh  tons  to  meet  the  demand  of  foodgrains  for  the  Public Distribution System (PDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS).

## (b):  The  details  of  production  of  foodgrains  for  the  last  three  years  is  given below:

(Million Tons)

| Grains           |   2012-13 |   2013-14 |   2014-15 |   2015-16 (3 rd Advance estimate) |
|------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------------------------------|
| Rice             |    105.24 |    106.65 |    105.48 |                            103.36 |
| Wheat            |     93.51 |     95.85 |     86.53 |                             94.04 |
| Coarse grains    |     40.04 |     43.29 |     42.86 |                             37.78 |
| Total Foodgrains |    238.79 |    245.79 |    234.87 |                            235.18 |

Wheat, rice and coarse grains are procured by the Government from farmers at  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP),  which  is  used  for  supply/  allocation  to States/UTs for distribution under the PDS as per the coverage determined for each  State/UT  and  per  person/family  foodgrain  entitlement  under  the  NFSA. Details  of  procurement  of  wheat,  rice  and  coarse  grains  and  the  total allocation of foodgrains to States/UTs under the PDS, calamity relief, festivals etc during last three years  is at Annexure.

(c) to (e): The Central Government extends price support to paddy and wheat through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Procurement Agencies. All the foodgrains conforming to the prescribed specifications offered for sale at  specified  centers  are  bought  by  the  public  procurement  agencies  at  the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The farmers however have the option to sell their  produce  to  Government  Agencies  at  MSP  or  in  the  open  market  as  is advantageous to them. Information regarding private purchase of foodgrains is not maintained.

***

ANNEXURE STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO.

## 127 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 26.07.2016 IN LOK SABHA

## Procurement of Rice, Wheat and Coarse grain and total allocation of foodgrains for the last three years

( I n Lakh Tons/ लाख टन म� )

|           | Procurement   | Procurement   | Procurement   | Total Allocation of foodgrains to States/UTs   |
|-----------|---------------|---------------|---------------|------------------------------------------------|
| Crop Year | Rice          | Wheat         | Coarsegrain   |                                                |
| 318.45    | 280.23        | 12.31         | 515.61        | 2013-14                                        |
| 320.40    | 280.88        | 4.65          | 562.20        | 2014-15                                        |
| 341.30 *  | 229.30        | 2.65          | 558.47        | 2015-16                                        |

Note : Procurement of wheat relates to Rabi Marketing Season (April-March) for the year following the crop year.

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