Question : WHEAT PROCUREMENT CENTRES

(a) whether the Government proposes to open additional centres in the country particularly in Madhya Pradesh, for procurement of wheat during the ensuring Rabi season;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government is contemplating to constitute any Task Force to check overweighing/unfair dealing by the agencies procuring wheat;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) the concrete steps taken by the Government for fair deal and timely payment to farmers by the procuring agencies?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH )

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Additional centres have been opened in many States like Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. A statement showing number of purchase centres opened during the ensuing Rabi Marketing Season 2005-06 is given in Annexure.

(c): No, Sir.

(d): Does not arise.

(e): Adequate safeguards to check weighing/unfair dealing are available in the procurement process.

(f): There already exist standing instructions that payment to the farmers should be ensured by the procuring agencies immediately after effecting the purchases.

ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) & (B) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4398 FOR ANSWER ON 25.4.2005 IN THE LOK SABHA.
STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF PURCHASE CENTRES BEING OPERATED DURING RABI MARKETING SEASON 2005-06

STATE	NUMBER OF PURCHASE CENTRES OPERATED

BY FCI	JOINTLY WITH STATE AGENCIES	BY STATE AGENCIES	TOTAL
PUNJAB	229	86	1475	1790
HARYANA	50	45	255	350
UTTAR PRADESH	182	-	4653	4835
RAJASTHAN	34	-	39	73
MADHYA PRADESH	120	-	941	1061
DELHI	2	-	-	2
BIHAR	105	-	323	428
HIMACHAL PRADESH	4	-	-	4
UTTARANCHAL	28	-	199	227
TOTAL	754	131	7885	8770