Question : PROCUREMENT CENTRES FOR PURCHASING FOODGRAINS



(a) whether procurement centres for purchasing foodgrains on the support price announced by the Union Government are not actually opened in that numbers;

(b) if so, the number of procurement centers actually opened all over the country during the last three years; and

(c) the number of cases where cheques issued to farmers were dishonoured during the last one year at procurement centers and the action taken in this regard?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )

(a) No, Sir.

(b) The number of procurement centers opened all over the country during the last three years is given below:

Year	Rabi Season	Kharif Season
1997-98 7615 4803 1998-99 7980 5432 1999-2000 8276 5937 2000-2001 8110
(c) No such instance has come to the notice of the Government.