(a) whether the Food Corporation is facing problems in fixing prices of rice for open sale
and to exporters;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Expenditure Reforms Commission has made recommendations in regard to fixing of prices by FCI;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps proposed by FCI to clear its buffer stocks?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a): No, Sir. The price of rice under Open Sale of Rice Scheme is Rs.950/- per quintal for
the whole country. As regards exports, the price is fixed at Rs.5650 per M.T. for raw and
Rs.6000 per M.T. for parboiled rice.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): No, Sir.
(d): Does not arise.
(e): Food Corporation of India (FCI) has taken a number of measures to clear its buffer
stocks. These include, inter-alia, increase in allocation of foodgrains for BPL families under
TPDS, downward revision of Central Issue Prices (CIPs) of wheat and rice, Open market sale of
wheat and rice at reduced rates, allocation of foodgrains at BPL rates to the State Governments
for undertaking `Food for Work Programmes`, allotment of foodgrains at BPL rates for various
welfare schemes of the Government, and export of wheat and rice.