Question : PROCUREMENT OF FOODGRAINS

(a) whether a decline in the procurement of foodgrains including wheat, rice and paddy has been registered in the recent years;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the procurement of the said commodities during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether there are complaints of exploitation of farmers by middlemen due to mismanagement and lack of proper procurement system;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto indicating the number of procurement centres opened during the last three years and current year, State-wise; and

(e) the steps taken for proper procurement of foodgrains during the ensuing season?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. There has been an increasing trend in procurement during the crop years 2007-08 to 2008-09. However, in 2009-10, there is a slight decline in the procurement of wheat and rice. A statement showing the procurement of wheat and rice during the last three years and current year is at Annexure-I & II.

(c): FCI has indicated that four complaints of purchase through middlemen were received.

(d): FCI has reported that the complaints have been investigated and action has been taken. State wise procurement centres for wheat and rice opened during the last three years and current year are at Annexure-III and IV.

(e): Government of India has already fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy and coarsegrains to be procured during Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2010-11. FCI and State agencies have been sensitized to open sufficient number of procurement centres and to make other required arrangements to undertake the procurement.