(a) whether the country recently faced the crisis of shortage of essential commodities
including foodgrains and rise in their prices;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken by the Government in this
regard;
(c) whether the Union Government has urged the States to create surplus stocks to meet
future crisis and check prices; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the States in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION(PROF. K. V. THOMAS)
(a) No Madam. There was no shortage of major food grains viz. rice and wheat. Prices of
rice and wheat were largely stable. As India imports 15% of its requirement in case of pulses
and more than 50% its requirement in case of edible oils, prices of pulses and edible oils are
influenced by the volatility in international prices.
(b) Details of steps taken by the Government are given in Annexure I.
(c)&(d) Union Government has allowed States/UTs to advance lift at least 3 months of
TPDS requirement to maintain sufficient stocks of foodgrains in the State. They were
asked in November, 2010 to send their requirement for such advance lifting. However,
no State has availed of this facility. Subsequently the States/UTs have been allowed
to advance lift and distribute upto six months of ration.