(a) whether the Government proposes to maintain additional stocks of foodgrains on priority basis in the drought prone States of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has issued instructions to the Food Corporation of India to keep a minimum stock for several months in the said States; and
(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a)to(d): Government allocates foodgrains to States and UTs under Targeted Public
Distribution System and Other Welfare Schemes as per approved allocation norms. Taking into
consideration drought situation, allocations of foodgrains under APL category during 2009-10
have been increased to 190.42 lakh tons as compared to 112 lakh tons during 2008-09.
Out of these allocations, 7.63 lakh tons (6.18 lakh tons of wheat and 1.45 lakh tons of rice)
have been made specifically to 12 drought affected States from October to December 2009, as per
details in Annex.
In order to ensure timely delivery of allocated foodgrains to States/UTs as per Government
instructions, FCI has to maintain stocks of foodgrains in every region of the country equal
to allocations to states and Uts of that region for two months. Similarly, FCI is also required
to maintain stocks of foodgrains in every state in quantities equal to one month’s allocation
to that state. Because of this operating practice, additional stocking of foodgrains
especially in drought affected states is not necessary.