(a) whether the Government allocates foodgrains for wholesale/bulk consumers under the Open Market Sales Scheme; and
(b) if so, the details and the objectives thereof?
(a) whether the Government allocates foodgrains for wholesale/bulk consumers under the Open Market Sales Scheme; and
(b) if so, the details and the objectives thereof?
MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a) & (b): Yes Madam, the Government has allocated foodgrains available over and above stocking norms under Central Pool for sale to wholesale/bulk consumers or State Government through tenders by Food Corporation of India (FCI) under the Open Market Sale Scheme. In the year 2014-15, 100 lakh tonnes of wheat was allocated under this scheme.
The objective of this scheme is to liquidate the surplus stock of foodgrains to vacate storage space for further procurement operations, augment supply in the market to contain the chances of inflation in wheat prices. In the year 2015-16, FCI has been authorized to sell the entire surplus stock of wheat above the stocking norms, which is approximately 111 lakh tones as on 1st July, 2015. Government has also decided to sell 20 lakh MT of rice to the bulk buyers under the scheme through tenders by FCI.
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