GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 293

ANSWERED ON:27.07.2010

SURPLUS STOCK OF FOODGRAINS

(a)whether the current stock of foodgrains in Government warehouses across the country is in excess of the buffer/reserve stock norms;

(b)if so, the details of the current buffer norms and actual stocks of wheat and rice in the country;

(c)whether the amount of subsidy is likely to increase on account of holding surplus stock of wheat and rice; and

(d)if so, the excess amount of subsidy likely to be incurred thereon?

ANSWER

 MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) & (b):The stock position of foodgrains (wheat and rice) in the Central Pool as on 01-07-2010 was 578.50 lakh tons (335.84 lakh tons of wheat and 242.66 lakh tons of rice) as compared to buffer and strategic reserve requirement of 319 lakh tons (201 lakh tons of wheat and 118 lakh tons of rice).

The details of the current buffer stock norms for food grains in the Central Pool for each quarter of the year are as under:

 1st January 1st April 1st July 1st October

Rice 138.00 142.00 118.00 72.00

Wheat 112.00 70.00 201.00 140.00

Total 250.00 212.00 319.00 212.00

The above buffer norms include Food Security Reserve of 30 lakh tons of Wheat & 20 lakh tons of Rice.

(c):The amount of subsidy is likely to increase on account of surplus stock of wheat and rice.

(d):As on 01-07-2010, there was 259.50 lakh tons of surplus food grains over and above buffer and reserve stock norms. The buffer carrying cost of surplus stock held by FCI is Rs. 31.18 per quintal per month. The carrying cost of this surplus stock per day is around Rs. 27 crore.