Question : Sale of Excess Wheat

(a) whether the Government is planning to restrict the sale of excess wheat stocks by FCI through the open Market sale scheme to bulk buyers mainly because of inadequate stock levels and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the FCI has so far sold close to 2.2 million tonne of wheat under the OMSS in the current financial year which helped to deplete the FCI stock, if so, details thereof and the remedial measures taken thereon;
(c) whether the wheat stock held with FCI at the beginning of September, 2016 was 24.2 MT; and
(d) whether under the Buffer stocks norms the FCI should have a wheat stock of 20.5 MT on 1.1.2016 and thus only a couple of million tonne of wheat are left to OMSS and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a): No, Madam.
(b): Through OMSS (D), FCI has sold 4.49 million tonne of wheat during the current financial year upto 8th March, 2017. Current wheat stock is more than stocking norms.
(c): Yes, Madam. The wheat stock available in the Central Pool as on 01.09.2016 was 24.2 million tonne.
(d): No, Madam. The stocking norms of wheat for the Central Pool as on 01.01.2016 was 13.8 million tonne. Wheat stock of 23.79 million tonne was available in the Central Pool as on 01.01.2016.
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