Question : IMPORT OF FOODGRAINS

(a) whether the Government has been importing rice and wheat during the last two years;

(b) if so, the details of imports in each quarter of the said period alongwith details of quality, quantity and the price;

(c) whether the Government has paid more charges in transporting these cereals vis-à-vis its import price;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor and the loss incurred as a result thereof;

(e) whether the Government has finalised any plan to amend the `Schedule VI` of the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import in India) Order 2003`;

(f) if so, whether any assessment has been made regarding the effect of the proposed move; and

(g) if so, the outcome thereof?

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

(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) & (g):A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. 4 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 26.02.2007 IN THE LOK SABHA.

(a) & (b): The Government has not imported rice during the last two years. Wheat has been imported as per details given below. Quarter wise details of imports for wheat are as follows:-

S.No.	Period	Qty. (in lakh MTs.)
1	April 2005 - March 2006	NIL
2.	April 2006 - June 2006	0.92
3.	July 2006 - September 2006	15.03
4.	October 2006 - December 2006	28.37
5.	January 2007 - February 2007	06.44	(Up to 19-02-2007)