(a) whether foodgrains kept in buffer stocks are mandatorily replaced every year;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the changes proposed to be made in the system of storage, maintenance and distribution
of foodgrains to contain damages to foodgrains stocks?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a)&(b) No particular stock of foodgrains is earmarked as buffer stock so as to avoid the
stock from getting deteriorated due to longer storage. The foodgrain stocks i.e. wheat and
rice from FCI godowns are issued on First In First Out (FIFO) principle.
(c) For safe and scientific storage of foodgrains in Covered and CAP storage, Ministry has
issued instructions to all State Governments/UT Administration and Food Corporation of India
from time to time to take required measures, recently reiterated on 19.12.2011 and 11.1.2012.
These measures include continuous monitoring of quality of foodgrains during procurement,
storage and distribution, to follow code of practices for safe storage in covered and CAP
storage, to take all precautionary measures like prophylactic and curative treatment for
insect pest control, regular periodic inspection of stocks to assess the quality etc.