MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER
AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH)
(a) & (b): Since procurement of foodgrains by Government agencies is open ended, no targets
are fixed. The quantity of rice and wheat procured in the Central Pool by FCI and State agencies
in Kharif and Rabi Marketing Season 2007-08 is as under:
(in lakh tonnes)
Marketing Season Rice Wheat
2007-08 225.37 (as on 21.4.08) 111.28
(c): The details of tenders invited and orders placed for import of wheat during 2007-08 are at
Annexure-I
(d): No production estimates for the year 2008-09 is available as the agriculture year 2008-09
has not yet commenced. The demand for foodgrains (rice, wheat and coarsegrains), based on behaviourist
approach in the country during 2008-09 is 201.49 million tonnes.
(e): No, Sir.
(f): Does not arise.
(g): Steps taken to ensure availability of sufficient quantity of rice and wheat for its distribution
under TPDS and other welfare scheme are at Annexure-II.
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (g) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4882 DUE FOR ANSWER ON
28.04.2008 IN THE LOK SABHA.
Steps taken by the Government to ensure availability of foodgrains
Wheat (RMS) 2008-09
i) The MSP for wheat has been fixed at Rs. 1000 per quintal for RMS 2008-09, an increase of Rs. 250
per quintal over RMS 2007-08 in order to encourage farmers to grow more wheat.
(ii) Import of 18 lakh tonnes of wheat was done in 2007-08 which improved the stock position of
wheat in the Central Pool and the wheat stocks (as on 1.4.2008) were 58 lakh tonnes i.e. 18 lakh
tonnes more than the buffer norms of 40 lakh tonnes at the start of RMS 2008-09.
(iii) Wheat exports on private account have been banned till further orders. Wheat exports from
Central Pool are also banned.
iv) A notification titled `Wheat (Stock Declaration by Companies or Firms or Individuals) Order
2008 has been issued under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 on 11.2.2008. The order provides
that any Company or Firm or individual which purchases wheat beyond 10,000 tonnes during 2008-09
shall furnish return to Secretary, Food of the State from where maximum quantity has been purchased.
While a return for purchase of wheat beyond 25,000 tonnes is required to be furnished to the
Central Government.
v) Department of Consumer Affairs has extended upto 31st August, 2008 notification under the EC
Act enabling State Governments to impose stock limit on wheat
vi) Import of wheat on private account at zero duty has been permitted till further orders.
vii) NAFED has been permitted to procure wheat on behalf of FCI in M.P. Gujrat and Bihar
viii) Commission to Societies/ Sub-agent @ 2.5% of MSP has been permitted for U.P, Bihar, M.P. etc.
on the lines of arthiya Commission in Punjab and Haryana .
Rice (KMS) 2007-08
(i) The MSP for paddy was fixed at Rs. 645 and Rs 675 per quintal for Common and Grade `A` variety
respectively for KMS 2007-08, giving an increase of Rs. 65 per quintal over the MSP of KMS 2006-07,
in order to encourage farmers to grow more rice.
(ii) The Commission to Societies and Self-Help Groups undertaking procurement of paddy on behalf
of the FCI/State Agencies, etc. has been allowed at a maximum of 1.5% of MSP.
(iii) The Government has announced a bonus of Rs. 100 per quintal over and above the MSP of paddy
in KMS 2007-08.
(iv) Export of non-basmati rice has been banned.
(v) Import of rice at zero duty has been permitted.
(vi) A notification titled `Rice (Stock Declaration by Companies or Firms or Individuals) Order
2007 has been issued under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 on 27.11.2007. The order provides
that any Company or Firm or individual which purchases paddy (in terms of rice) or rice beyond
10,000 tonnes during Kharif Marketing Season 2007-08 (October-September) shall furnish a return
to the Secretary, Department of Food of the State from where maximum quantity has been purchased.
In case the purchase of paddy (in terms of rice) or rice exceeds 25,000 tonnes (throughout the
country) the return in the prescribed proforma to Department of Food & Public Distribution of
Central Government.
