The stock position of food grains in the Central Pool as on 1.12.2011 was 547.19 lakh tons comprising of 270.63 lakh tons of rice and 276.56 lakh tons of wheat. The buffer stocks norms have been maintained for rice and wheat for the entire Central Pool stocks on a quarterly basis.

The current stocks of food grains in the Central Pool are quite adequate to meet the food grain requirements of the country as per existing allocations for TPDS and Other Welfare schemes. The Government has been intensifying procurement operations and more States are encouraged to make decentralized procurement. Government has been reviewing the Minimum Support Price for food grains from time to time to encourage farmers to produce more. As a result, procurement during the last four years has recorded considerable increase from 36.24 million tons in 2006-07 to 62.34 million tons in 2010-11. Further, to augment scientific storage capacities, Government has formulated a Scheme for construction of storage go-downs through private entrepreneurs, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and State Warehousing Corporations (SWCs). Under the scheme, capacity of about 151 lakh tons is to be created in 19 States through private entrepreneurs and CWC and SWCs. 5.4 and 14.4 lakh tons storage capacities respectively are being constructed by CWC and SWCs under the Scheme. Out of the above, a capacity of about 4 lakh tons has already been completed by CWC/SWCs.

The Government has made allocation of a quantity of 612.07 lakh tons of rice and wheat under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) during the current year, thus making substantial quantity of food grains available through the Public Distribution System at subsidized prices. This includes additional allocation of 50 lakh tons of food grains to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families at BPL prices in May 2011 and 50 lakh tons to Above Poverty Line (APL) families at APL prices in June 2011. In addition to the above, 23.67 lakh tons of food grains have been allocated at Antyodaya Anna Yojana(AAY) and BPL prices to 27 States for distribution in 174 poorest/backward districts.

This information was given by the Minister of State (independent charge) for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Prof. K.V. Thomas in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on the 20^th December 2011.

Source: Press Information Bureau Website.

For more visit PDS Gaya's website.

Foodgrains stock in the country with the Government procurement agencies as on 1st July, 2011was 640.06 lakh tonnes comprising 268.57 lakh tonnes of rice and 371.49 tonnes of wheat.

The procurement of rice as on July 1, 2011 (KMS 2010-11) was 316.07 lakh tonnes as against 297.47 lakh tonnes procured last kharif season. Wheat procurement for Ravi Marketing Season 2011-12 was 278.38 lakh tonnes as against 224.72 lakh tonnes procured last in season.

The off take of rice in all schemes, during June, 2011, has been 28.10 lakh tonnes. This comprises 19.04 lakh tonnes under TPDS and 9.06 lakh tonnes under other schemes. The total off take of wheat has been 20.59 lakh tonnes comprising of 14.74 lakh tonnes under TPDS and 5.85 lakh tonnes under other schemes.

The total allotment of rice during June, 2011, under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) including BPL (Below Poverty Line), APL (Above Poverty Li ne)and AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) was 22.02 lakh tonnes, against which the total offtake was 19.04 lakh tonnes, representing an overall percentage offtake of 86.5 percent. The BPL allotment of rice was 9.68 lakh tonnes, against which the offtake was 9.65 lakh tonnes, representing percentage off take 99.7 per cent.

In respect of AAY the allotment during the month was 5.75 lakh tonnes, against which the off take was 5.55 lakh tonnes, which represents 99.6 percent off take. The total allotment of wheat under TPDS including BPL, APL and AAY was 19.54 lakh tonnes, against which the total off take was 14.74 lakh tonnes, representing an overall percentage 75.4 percent off take. The BPL allotment of wheat was 4.85 lakh tonnes, against which the off take was 5.41 lakh tonnes representing an off take of 111.6 per cent. In respect of AAY, the allotment was 2.79 lakh tonnes, against which the off take was 2.74 lakh tonnes, which represents 98.1 percent off take.

Source – Press Information Bureau

Visit PDS Gaya's blog for more PDS news.