(a) whether the foodgrain requirement is estimated to increase with the rise in population in the coming years;
(b) if so, whether to ensure the food security for the people, the public stock holding was necessary so as to meet requirements under the National Food Security Act and ensure availability in case of crop failure due to dependence on monsoon rain; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto along with the necessary steps taken thereon?
MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a) to (c): The National Food Security Act 2013 provides for coverage upto seventy-five percent of rural population and upto fifty percent of urban population. Within this State/ Union Territory (UT)-wise coverage for receiving highly subsidized foodgrains was determined by the Planning Commission (now NITI Ayog) on the basis of 2011-12 National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) Household Consumption Expenditure Survey.
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Keeping in view, the requirements of foodgrains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), Government of India has revised the foodgrain stocking norms for the Central Pool (earlier called buffer norms) w.e.f. January, 2015 as under:-
As on
Operational stocks
Strategic Reserve
Total
Rice
Wheat
Rice
Wheat
1st April
11.58
4.46
2.00
3.00
21.04
1st July
11.54
24.58
2.00
3.00
41.12
1st Oct
8.25
17.52
2.00
3.00
30.77
1st Jan
5.61
10.80
2.00
3.00
21.41
(in million tons)
The above norms include operational stocks needed for meeting the requirements under NFSA.
The above norms also include strategic reserves of 3 million tons of wheat and 2 million tons of rice for meeting the exigencies of production shortfall arising out of crop failure due to drought or flood or any other natural calamity.
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