(a) whether the ceilings of foodgrains stock throughout the country has since been removed;
(b) whether restrictions on the movement of foodgrains from one State to another have also
been removed;
(c) if so, the details thereof, separately;
(d) whether blackmarketing and hoarding of foodgrains in the country are likely to be
encouraged as a result thereof; and?
(e) if so, the details of steps being taken to check the same?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN)
(a) As per Central Government`s present policy, there exist no stock-limits on rice and
coarsegrains. As regards wheat, taking an overall view of the food situation and also the
major storage constraints being faced all over the country, in April, 1999, Central Government
advised all the States/UTs to abolish stock-limits on wheat and wheat products. Subsequently,
in Sept.`99, we advised all the States/UTs to reimpose the stock limits on wheat and wheat
products, with a view to check the rising trend in their open market prices, if the situation
so warrants.
(b) In March, 1993, Central Government adopted the national policy of treating the entire
country as a single food zone for free movement of foodgrains so that the farmers could get
remunerative prices of their products anywhere in the country.
(c) In the case of rice, the State Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Tamil
Nadu are still keeping stock-limits on account of local conditions. In the case of wheat,
as per our records, at present only Bihar and Andhra Pradesh are having stock-limits. All the
States/UTs., excepting J&K, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, have taken action to adhere to the
national policy of free movement of foodgrains. These three States want to keep the movement
restrictions on paddy/rice on account of local conditions.
(d) No such instance has come to our notice.
(e) Does not arise.