(a) whether the Union Government are aware of the slow pace of procurement of rice in some
States and particularly in Orissa;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government have a proposal to procure rice from the open market;
(d) if so, the reasons for not procuring rice directly from the farmers; and
(e) the steps taken to protect the interests of the farmers while procuring rice?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI ASHOK PRADHAN )
(a): No, Sir. The procurement of rice by FCI and State Agencies has not been slow. As on
29.4.2002, a quantity of 172.15 lakh tonnes of rice has been procured in the country as compared
to a quantity of 161.64 lakh tonnes procured during the corresponding period last year. As
regards, Orissa, as on 26.4.2002 a quantity of 7.60 lakh tonnes of levy rice has been procured
by FCI as compared to a quantity of 5.60 lakh tonnes procured during the corresponding period
last year.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): No such proposal has been finalized by the Government at present.
(d): Does not arise in view of reply to (c) above.
(e): State Governments have been advised to issue instructions to the District Collectors
to ensure that enforcement certificates are issued after thorough probe that the procurement of
paddy from the farmers has been made by the concerned millers on payment of Minimum support
Price, and that their milling record is commensurate with the quantity of rice sought to be
delivered under levy. The Collectors should be made personally accountable for the genuineness
of each case of issue of enforcement certificates. Besides FCI has also been advised to verify
the details before they accept and act upon the enforcement certificates issued by the
Collectors. In addition, restrictions on the movement of rice and paddy from one district to
another district has been removed.