(a) whether the Government have liberalised the open market sales scheme for wheat;
(b) if so, whether this scheme has helped the people and also reduced the food stocks
with the FCI; and
(
(c) the other steps being considered to provide the wheat to the poor and down-trodden
people at a cheaper rate?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a) & (b) : Yes, Sir. The open market sale scheme has been liberalised w.e.f. 1.12.1999
and FCI has been instructed to ensure that purchasers shall not be refused issue of wheat
from any godown in case the indented quantities are available. District Manager, FCI will
ensure that issue of stocks to the buyers is made on the first-come first served basis.
During the period 1.12.1999 to 29.2.2000 a total quantity of 22.72 lakh MTs is reported to
have been sold under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic).
(c) It has been decided to increase the allocation of wheat under PDS for BPL families
from 10 Kg. per family per month to 20 Kg. per family per month w.e.f. 1.4.2000.