(a) whether procurement of rice for public distribution is likely to be less during the current year as compared to last year;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c) whether the shortfall in procurement is likely to create shortage in rice availability under the Public Distribution System thereby affecting the poor in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH)
(a), (b) & (c): As per the estimates given by the State Food Secretaries during the Kharif meeting held on 26th August, 2006, the procurement of rice in Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2006-07 is likely to be 270 lakh tonnes in comparison to 276.56 lakh tonnes procured in KMS 2005-06. This figure of 270 lakh tonnes is well above the annual requirement of rice for the TPDS and other welfare schemes.