Question : DELAY IN TRANSPORTATION OF IMPORTED WHEAT

(a) whether the wheat imported by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) during 2006-07 to meet the shortage in the country was stuck up at different ports, particularly at the privately owned Agni port, Gujarat and could not be transported to various godowns;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor indicating the extent of losses suffered due to rotting of such wheat;

(c) whether responsibilities have since been fixed in this regard; and

(d) if so, the action taken against the officers and ports held responsible for these losses?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a), (b), (c) & (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. 450 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 07.05.2007 IN THE LOK SABHA.

(a): Out of 55 lakh metric tons of wheat contracted, 54.13 lakh metric tons of wheat has arrived at various Indian ports as on 3rd May, 2007. Of this, 53.60 lakh metric tons of wheat has been bagged and transported to the godowns. Wheat has not been imported through any port of the name Agni port. There was some delay in movement of wheat from ports due to the simultaneous arrival of wheat and fertilizers at the ports and the priority given to fertilizer ships to discharge the cargo and in movement to destinations by rail.

(b),(c)&(d): Does not arise.