(a) whether the Union Government has allocated sizeable quantities of edible oils to various
States and Union Territories recently for distribution through the Public Distribution System
(PDS) and the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS);
(b) if so,the details thereof,State-wise and Union Territory-wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to meet any shortage in supply of edible oils for PDS
and TPDS during the coming months?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a),(b)&(c ): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE STARRED QUESTION No. 125 DUE FOR ANSWER
ON 27.10.2008 IN THE LOK SABHA.
(a) and (b): The Government have introduced a Scheme for Distribution of upto 10 lakh tons of
imported edible oils in 2008-09 at a subsidy of Rs. 15/- per kg. through State Governments/UTs @ 1
kg. per ration card per month through PDS shops/other outlets,as decided by them.Twenty nine
States/UTs which have sought allocation of edible oil have been allocated edible oil under the
Scheme (Annexure-I).However,only 12 States,namely,Andhra Pradesh,Chhattisgarh,Gujarat,Himachal
Pradesh,Maharashtra,Orissa,Tamil Nadu,West Bengal,Karnataka,Sikkim, Nagaland and Rajasthan have
started distribution of edible oils under the Scheme.So far 3.60 lakh tons of edible oil have been
contracted for import by central PSUs under the Scheme.Till 20.10.2008,2.63 lakh tons of edible
oil have already landed in the country and about 1.52 lakh tons have so far been given to various
States/UTs for distribution to ration card holders.
(c): Some of the steps taken by the Government to increase availability and supply of edible
oils are:
(i) The import of edible oils has been placed under Open General Licence (OGL).
(ii) The import duty on Crude and refined Palm Oil/Palmolein reduced from 20% to Nil and 27.5% to 75% respectively w.e.f. 1.4.2008.
(iii) The import duty on crude and refined soyabean oil reduced from 40% to Nil and 40% to 75% respectively w.e.f. 1.4.2008.
(iv) The import duty on crude and refined forms of other edible oils reduced to Nil and 7.5%
respectively w.e.f. 1.4.2008
(v) Tariff values (base price) of palm oils and crude soyabean oil have been frozen since July
2006 and September,2006,respectively.
(vi) Export of edible oils has been banned w.e.f. 17.3.2008 (except coconut oil through Cochin
Port and certain oils produced from minor forest origin).
(vii) State Governments have been allowed to impose stock limits on edible oils and oilseeds
w.e.f. 7.4.2008.