(a) whether the specifications for procurement of rice are fixed
annually by the Government;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the scientific criteria adopted for fixation of rice specifications; and
(d) the reasons for changing the rice specifications every year?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b),(c) & (d) : The Uniform Specifications (FAQ standards) for procurement
of foodgrains including rice for the Central Pool are prescribed by the
Government every year before commencement of the marketing seasons for
adoption uniformly by all procuring agencies. This is done in consultation
with the procuring and consuming States, as well as the Food Corporation of
India, the weather and crop conditions, Prevention of Food Adulteration
(PFA) Act norms etc. Since the weather and crop conditions are necessarily
taken into consideration, the specification is fixed for each marketing
season.