Question : Stocking Norms and Buffer Stock

(a) whether a high-level committee headed by former food Minister Shanta Kumar, in its report 2015, had observed that during the last five years, on an average buffer stocks with FCI have been more than double the stocking norms, costing the nation large sums without any purpose being served;
(b) whether with more than 30% rise in wheat procurement from farmers during April-June season, the FCI and State Government owned agencies have more stocks than the buffer norms ; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a): Yes, Madam. Committee observed so.
(b) & (c): In Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2017-18 308.24 Lakh Metric Ton (LMT) of wheat was procured against 229.62 LMT in RMS 2016-17. The total wheat stock available in Central Pool is 322.75 LMT as on 01.07.2017 and the buffer norms to meet the demand of wheat for Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)/ National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Other Welfare Scheme (OWS) for the year 2017-18 is 275.80 LMT as per 1st July, 2017. Surplus stock of wheat, if any, is sold in open market through e-auction under Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS).
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