(a) the number of procurement centres opened so far, State-wise;
(b) whether the Government have given any relaxation for the procurement of foodgrains from the farmers;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the target set for procurement by the Government during the current year?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SUBHASH MAHARIA )
(a): Statements showing State-wise number of purchase centres are annexed (Annexure-I & II).
(b): Yes, Sir.
(c): With a view to reduce the hardship to farmers and to avoid distress sale of paddy, the
prescribed specifications for procurement of paddy have been relaxed by the Government in the
States of Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur Division), Bihar and Orissa in the current KMS 2002-03 as
under:
(i) In Madhya Pradesh, the maximum limit in respect of immature, shrunken and shrivelled
grains has been allowed upto 7% against the limit of 3% provided under the uniform specifications.
(ii) In the cases of both the States i.e., Bihar and Orissa, the maximum limit in respect of
damaged, discoloured, sprouted and weevilled grains has been allowed upto 5% against 3% provided
under the uniform specifications and the maximum limit in respect of immature, shrunken and
shrivelled grains has been allowed upto 5% against 3% provided under the uniform specifications.
(d): No targets for procurement of foodgrains are fixed by the Government.
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 765 DUE FOR
ANSWER ON 25-07-2003 IN THE LOK SABHA.
LIST OF PURCHASE CENTRES OPERATED DURING KHARIF SEASON 2002-2003 FOR PROCUREMENT OF PADDY/COARSEGRAINS.
S.NO. STATE FCI JOINTLY STATE AGENCY TOTAL
1. PUNJAB 403 165 895 1463
2. HARYANA 25 35 160 220
3. U.P. - - 1155 1155
4. DELHI 2 - - 2
5. RAJASTHAN 12 - - 12 6. A.P. 111 - 214 325
7 M.P. 43 - 258 108# 301 108#
8. WEST BENGAL - - - -
9. KARNATAKA - - 3# 3# 10. PONDICHERRY - - 2 2 11. TAMIL NADU - - 347 347 12. BIHAR 100 - 827 927 13. ORISSA 20 - - 20 14. HIMACHAL PD. 4 - - 4 15. MAHARASHTRA - - 748 748 16. J&K - - - - 17. CHHATTISGARH - - 1443 1443 18. UTTARANCHAL - - 50 50 19. GUJARAT - - - - TOTAL 720 200 6210 7130
# For coarsegrains only.
2003 - 2004
S.NO. FCI STATE AGENCIES TOTAL REMARKS
1. PUNJAB 556 964 1520
2. HARYANA 105 235 340
3. UTTAR PRADESH - 4222 4222
4. RAJASTHAN 20 40 60 Procurement decentralised.
5. MADHYA PRADESH 167 763 930 Procurement decentralized. 6. CHHATTISGARH - - -
7 DELHI 2 - 2
8. BIHAR 100 N.A. 100
9. HIMACHAL PR. 4 - 4 10. UTTARANCHAL 27 175 202 Decentralised procurement under process.
TOTAL 981 6599 (Prov.) 7580 (Prov.) (Prov.)