(a) whether the Government agencies are holding surplus stock of foodgrains in excess of
the buffer stock requirement and the likely demand in the country during the ensuing year;
(b) if so, the details thereof, grain-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to allocate foodgrains from these surplus stocks for
export; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) to (b) : The stock of rice and wheat held by FCI and State agencies in Central Pool as
on 1.8.2011 was 611.46 lakh tons comprising 252.71 lakh tons of rice and 358.75 lakh tons of
wheat. This is against the buffer norm of 319 lakh tons comprising 118 lakh tons of rice and
201 lakh tons of wheat for the quarter beginning 1st July. In addition, 1.31 lakh MTs of coarse
grains was also available.
(c) & (d): Though there was a proposal to consider export of wheat and rice, Government has permitted export of only 10 lakh tons of non-basmati rice on private account.