Question : NON-PROCUREMENT OF PADDY

(a) whether the rice millers in Andhra Pradesh are not purchasing paddy at Minimum Suport Price (MSP) from the farmers on various pretexts causing loss to the farmers;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to redress the problem;

(c) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any action against such rice millers;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government is also aware of the problems faced by the farmers in Andhra Pradesh on account of lack of sufficient number of centres for procurement of paddy; and

(f) if so, the steps taken to open more centres for procurement of paddy?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b) : As per the Minimum Support Price (MSP) certificates issued by the State Government, paddy is being purchased by the Rice Millers in the Andhra Pradesh at Minimum Support Price. No distress sale of paddy by farmers has been reported till now in Andhra Pradesh as informed by Food Corporation of India.

(c) & (d) : Does not arise.

(e) & (f) : 168 Paddy Purchase Centres (PPC) by Food Corporation of India and 453 centres by State Agencies, including 419 PPCs by Women Self Help Groups have been opened in Andhra Pradesh.

As and when required, PPCs are being opened by the Government Agencies to ensure that benefit of Minimum Support Price is extended to farmers.