Question : PROCUREMENT BY FCI IN KATIHAR BIHAR

(a) whether the Food Corporation of India has not procured wheat properly at the rates fixed by the Government in Katihar, Bihar;

(b) whether the Government of Uttar Pradesh have sent around 80 trucks of wheat to the Food Corporation of India, Katihar;

(c) whether due to non-availability of space in the godown, the officers of this Corporation are unable to procure the wheat;

(d) if so, whether the Government propose to put a ban on procuring wheat from outside and thus procuring the wheat from local farmers;

(e) if so, by when; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )

(a): No, Sir. At FSD Katihar, a quantity of 1230.66 MTs of wheat conforming to FAQ s pecifications has been procured at Minimum Support Price.

(b): No, Sir.

(c): Does not arise in view of reply at (a) above.

(d)&(e): There is no such proposal under consideration of the Government at present.

(f): The Food Corporation of India and its Agencies procure wheat throughout the country. Wheat so procured is kept in godowns in various parts of the country depending on the procurement and storage space.