(a) the total estimated production of wheat during the current year;
(b) the arrangements made for storage of wheat so that the surplus production does not
become a problem;
(c) the steps being taken to export surplus wheat to other countries; and
(d) the steps being taken to pay remunerative prices for wheat to farmers to ensure that they are not put to loss?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a): The provisionally estimated production of wheat during 2000-2001 is 68.46 million tonnes.
(b): As on 1.6.2001, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) had a total storage capacity of
34.36 million tonnes as against the total stocks of 32.90 million tonnes held by it.
The storage capacity of the FCI increases or decreases depending upon the trend of procurement
and offtake/sale of foodgrains in the procuring/consuming States. The FCI creates additional
storage capacity by construction of its own godowns as well as plinths besides hiring storage
capacity available with the agencies. The field officers of FCI have also been delegated full
powers for hiring/dehiring of storage capacity as and when considered necessary.
(c): The Government has decided to export upto 50 lakh tonnes of wheat through Public Sector
Undertakings (PSUs)/Agencies for the year 2001-2002. It has also been decided to allow
private parties to undertake export of wheat at par with PSUs/Agencies with effect from 1.6.2001.
(d): The steps taken by the Government to help the farmers are as follows :-
(i) Adequate number of purchase centres have been opened in different States to avoid
distress sale by the farmers.
(ii) Quick payment is being made to the farmers for their produce.
(iii) Government accepts foodgrains stocks at Minimum Support Price without any quantitative
restrictions.
(iv) Adequate publicity is given by the Government about the procurement prices,
FAQ specifications and purchase centres.