(a) the quantum of rice and wheat procured for PDS during the last three years and the current year;
(b) the quantum of the procured foodgrains distributed through PDS during the said period;
(c) whether business companies are engaged in hoarding and profiteering due to increase in the prices of foodgrains and less minimum support price whereas farmers and consumers are continuously bearing losses; and
(d) if so, the details of the corrective steps taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a): The total quantity of rice (paddy in terms of rice) and wheat procured for Central Pool during last three years and current year is as under:
(Fig. in Lakh Metric Ton (LMT))
Kharif Marketing Season (KMS)
Rice
KMS 2013-14
318.45
KMS 2014-15
320.45
KMS 2015-16
342.17
KMS 2016-17#
275.37
# Data reported as on 02.02.2017.
...2/-
...2...
Rabi Marketing Season (RMS)
Wheat
RMS 2013-14
250.92
RMS 2014-15
280.23
RMS 2015-16
280.88
RMS 2016-17
229.61
(b): The allotment and offtake of wheat & rice under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)/ National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Other Welfare Scheme (OWS) during 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 (upto December’2016) are as under:-
(Fig. in LMT)
Year
Wheat
Rice
Allotment
Offtake
Allotment
Offtake
2013-14
270.94
220.74
341.05
294.15
2014-15
241.09
229.24
372.86
355.74
2015-16
265.82
245.30
343.31
320.46
2016-17
270.96
189.01
(upto Dec’2016)
353.57
247.62
(upto Dec’2016)
(c) & (d): No report has been received regarding hoarding and profiteering of food grains done by the business companies.
Under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (EC Act), hoarding/blackmarketing of essential commodities are criminal and cognizable offences, the power under the EC Act is delegated to States/UTs, which are empowered to take action against the hoarders & black marketers and check hoarding of essential items.
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