(a) whether the Government has received complaints that FCI has failed to pay the Minimum Support Price to the farmers at the time of procurement;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has decided to implement the Direct Payment System in Food Corporation of India in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(f) the steps taken by the Government to ensure the payment of MSP to the farmers at the time of procurement?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) & (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (f) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.263 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 20.12.2004 IN THE LOK SABHA.
(a) & (b): All stocks of foodgrains offered by farmers at the purchase centers of the FCI, and conforming to the quality specifications fixed, are purchased at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in a transparent manner. Occasional complaints received in this behalf are referred to the State Governments and the FCI for appropriate action.
(c) & (d): No, Sir.
(e): The Direct Payment System of labour is in force in 216 FCI depots in the country. In the remaining FCI depots, other labour systems, including departmental labour and contract labour, are in place.
(f): Before the start of each marketing season, State Governments/UTs are advised to ensure that Fair Average Quality (FAQ) foodgrains are procured from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) announced by the Government. The FCI and State Governments have taken action to open sufficient number of purchase centers for procurement of foodgrains. In order to closely monitor the price support operations, a Control Room has been set up on a permanent basis in the Department of Food and Public Distribution. Special Control Rooms are also set up in the FCI Headquarters and its Regional Office. The State Governments are also advised to set up Control Rooms, which should function round the clock during the procurement season. They have also been advised to give wide publicity through print and audio visual media, village fairs, panchayats, Agriculture Extension Service/Krishi Vigyan Kendras etc. to inform the farmers about the minimum support prices, locations and facilities provided at the purchase centers etc.