Question : PROCUREMENT OF FOODGRAINS

(a) whether the Food Corporation of India (FCI) checks the quality of foodgrains before procuring the same;

(b) if so, the arrangements put in place for the purpose and the procedure laid down therefor;

(c) whether cases of procurement of substandard foodgrains have come to the notice of the Government during the last three years despite these arrangements and procedures; and

(d) if so, the details of the officials, if any, found responsible in this connection and the action taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY 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. 366 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 10.09.2007 IN THE LOK SABHA.

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): Food Corporation of India (FCI) issues instructions every year to procure foodgrains strictly conforming to the uniform specifications laid down by the Government of India. Technical staff of Quality Control Division of FCI are posted at the procurement centres to check the quality of foodgrains at the time of procurement. Besides, moisture meters, physical analysis kits and other items viz. tarpaulin, weighing and stitching machines, dunnage material, etc. are also made available at the procurement centres.

(c): Yes, Sir.

(d): The details of FCI officials who were found responsible for procurement of substandard foodgrains and against whom disciplinary proceedings were initiated by Vigilance Division of FCI are as under:

S.No.	Year	Category-I	Category-II	Category-III
1.	2004-05	12	621	1359
2.	2005-06	-	3	8
3.	2006-07	-	7	9
Total	12	631	1376