Question : PROCUREMENT OF WHEAT



(a) whether the Government/Food Corporation of India has set a target to procure over 42 million tonnes of wheat in the 2013-14 marketing season;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(c) the manner in which it is proposed to be utilised?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a): Procurement being an open ended policy, no targets are set. However, before the commencement of every Rabi Marketing Season (RMS), meetings are held with the Food Secretaries of the wheat procuring States and representatives of Food Corporation of India (FCI). Based on the discussions held in these meetings, estimates for procurement of wheat for the Central Pool and the period of procurement are determined. For RMS 2013-14, an estimate of 441.21 lakh tons of wheat has been made.

(b): The State-wise details of the estimated wheat procurement for RMS 2013-14 is given at Annexure.

(c): The wheat procured is utilised to meet the requirements under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and other welfare schemes, open market sale and to maintain buffer stocks.