(a) the scheme/policy prepared for procurement and safe storage of foodgrains;
(b) the steps taken to ensure remunerative price to the farmers along with the success achieved therein; and
(c) the steps taken to ensure food security in the country indicating the names of the States where National Food Security Act is being implemented?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a): There is a Uniform Policy for procurement by Government Agencies across the country. Under this policy, Wheat & Paddy offered by farmers, within the stipulated period & conforming to the specifications prescribed by Government of India (GOI) are purchased at Minimum Support Price (MSP) by the Government agencies including Food Corporation of India (FCI) for Central Pool. However, if producer/farmer gets better price in comparison to MSP, they are free to sell their produce in open market i.e. to private trader/ anyone.
Further different commodities of coarsegrains are procured by State Governments itself in consultation with Central Government as per their requirement for distribution under TPDS as well as other welfare Schemes.
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The precautionary measures which are taken for safe storage of foodgrains to avoid damage are at Annexure-I
(b) The steps taken to ensure remunerative price to the farmers is at Annexure-II.
Increase in procurement over a period of time reflects that GOI has been successful in increasing the outreach of price support operations including eastern states.
(c): The Government enacted the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 with the objective to provide for food and nutritional security, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people. The Act provides for coverage of upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). The eligible persons will be entitled to receive 5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at highly subsidised prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains. The existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, will continue to receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household per month.
The Act is being implemented in 34 States/UTs, list of which is enclosed at Annexure-III.
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Annexure-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION DY. NO. 2550 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 02.08.2016 IN THE LOK SABHA
Foodgrains conforming to prescribed norms are procured for central pool and stored in scientific manner in covered and CAP (Cover and Plinth) storage. All precautionary measures are taken for safe storage of foodgrains to avoid damage. Inspite of all precautions, some quantity may get damaged/ non-issuable due to various reasons such as storage pest attack, leakages in godowns, procurement of poor quality stocks, spillage during movement and handling of stocks, exposure to rains, floods, negligence on the part of concerned persons in taking precautionary measures etc.
The following precautionary and remedial steps are mandated to be followed by F.C.I. and State Government agencies for safe storage and quality 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 to the foodgrains.
(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 in godowns are to be undertaken by qualified and trained staff and 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.
(xi) Installation of barbed wires fencing of boundary walls, provision of street lights in the godowns/ complexes and proper; locking of the sheds.
(xii) Security staff of FCI as well as other agencies like Home Guards, DGR sponsored agency&Special Police Officers are deployed for safety of stocks.
(xiii) Deployment of State Armed Police has been done at vulnerable depots/godowns in the prone area.
(xiv) Security Inspection as well as surprise checks of the depots are being conducted from time to time at various levels to detect and plug any security lapses.
(xv) FIRs have also been lodged with the Police where pilferage has come to notice. Apart from this, departmental action including recovery of loss has been resorted to act as deterrent
(xvi) Occurrence of losses is reviewed at the level of Area Manager, General Manager (Region), Executive Director (Zones) and at Headquarter level during meeting.
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Annexure-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION DY. NO. 2550 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 02.08.2016 IN THE LOK SABHA
Steps taken to ensure that farmers get remunerative prices/MSP for Wheat and Paddy:-
In order to ensure that the farmers get remunerative prices/MSP for Wheat and Paddy, following mechanism have been put in place:
1. Keeping in view the procurement potential areas, procurement centres for MSP operations are opened by Government agencies, both FCI and State Government, after mutual consultations.
2. Farmers are made aware of the MSP operations by way of advertisements like displaying banners, pamphlets, announcement for MSP and specification in print and electronic media.
3. Payment for the wheat and paddy procured from farmers is either made directly to the farmers or through arthias/co-operative societies as per prevailing system of the State. Payment to farmers are also made through A/c payee cheque/electronic mode.
4. State Governments are encouraged to undertake decentralized procurement, so as to enhance the procurement of food grains.
5. MSP has been enhanced from time to time to encourage procurement of foodgrains in central pool.
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Annexure-III
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION DY. NO. 2550 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 02.08.2016 IN THE LOK SABHA
LIST OF STATES/UTs IMPLEMENTING NFSA
Sl.No.
Name of the State/UT
1
Haryana
2
Rajasthan
3
Delhi
4
Himachal Pradesh
5
Punjab
6
Karnataka
7
Chhattisgarh
8
Maharashtra
9
Chandigarh
10
Madhya Pradesh
11
Bihar
12
West Bengal
13
Lakshadweep
14
Tripura
15
Puducherry
16
Uttarakhand
17
Jharkhand
18
Telangana
19
Daman & Diu
20
Odisha
21
Assam
22
Goa
23
Andhra Pradesh
24
Sikkim
25
Uttar Pradesh
26
Meghalaya
27
Jammu & Kashmir
28
Andaman & Nicobar
29
Mizoram
30
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
31
Gujarat
32
Arunachal Pradesh
33
Manipur
34
Nagaland
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