MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a), (b) & (c): Yes, Madam. There have been reports that procurement
by private traders and other agencies have been above the Minimum Support
Price (MSP) announced by the Government of India. The details of the
procurement of foodgrains against the estimates made are given as under:-
Fig. in LMT, as on 07.08.2013 Wheat 2012-13 2013-14 Estimated Actual Estimated Actual procurement Procurement procurement Procurement 318.00 381.48 441.21 250.92
Fig. in LMT, as on 07.08.2013 Rice 2011-12 2012-13 Estimated Actual Estimated Actual procurement Procurement procurement Procurement
353.15 350.41 401.31 338.84
The Food Corporation of India and the State Agencies intervene in
the market only if the farmers do not get prices at the level of MSP
or above. There is no bar on the private sector entering the market
when the foodgrains are coming to the Mandi after harvesting.
(d) & (e): In addition to creating additional covered scientific storage
capacity under plan scheme, the Government has also formulated a scheme
called Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme for construction of
covered storage capacity through Private Entrepreneurs, Central
Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs).
For proper and safe storage of foodgrains, following precautionary
and remedial steps have been mandated to be followed by F.C.I. and
State Government agencies to check damages to central pool stocks
of foodgrains:
(i) All godowns are to be constructed as per specifications.
(ii) Foodgrains are to be stored by adopting proper scientific code
of storage practices.
(iii) Adequate dunnage materials such as wooden crates, bamboo mats,
polythene sheets are to be used to check migration of moisture from the floor.
(iv) Fumigation covers, nylon ropes, nets and insecticides for control
of stored grain insect pests are to be provided in all the godowns.
(v) Prophylactic (spraying of insecticides) and curative treatments
(fumigation) are to be carried out regularly and timely in godowns
for the control of stored grain insect pests.
(vi) Effective rat control measures, both in covered godowns as well
as in CAP storage are to be used.
(vii) Foodgrains in ‘Cover and Plinth’ (CAP) storage are to be stored
on elevated plinths and wooden crates are to be used as dunnage material.
Stacks are to be properly covered with specifically fabricated low-
density black polythene water -proof covers and tied with nylon
ropes/nets.
(viii) Regular periodic inspections of the stocks/godowns are to
be undertaken by qualified and trained staff including senior officers.
(ix) The principle of “First in First Out†(FIFO) is to be followed
to the extent possible so as to avoid longer storage of foodgrains in godowns.
(x) Only covered rail wagons are to be used for movement of foodgrains
so as to avoid damage during transit.
