November 22, 2001

‘39'

        The Stock of wheat and rice in central pool as on November 1, 2001 was 357.97 lakh tonnes and 265.03 lakh tonnes respectively. The buffer norm for September 30 is 116 lakh tonnes of wheat and 65 lakh tonnes of rice.

        The annual carrying cost for 582.78 lakh tonnes of foodgrains stock is Rs. 13, 170 crore calculated at the rate of Rs. 2,260 per tonne, per year.

        In the Food Corporation of India’s Budget Estimates for the year 2001-2002, a provision of Rs. 5,979 crore has been provided for meeting the carrying costs of foodgrains in the central pool.

        The value of stocks down-graded as damaged stock by FCI is Rs. 5975.23 lakh in 2000-2001; Rs. 17128.06 lakh in 1999-2000 and Rs. 11846.02 lakh in 1998-99.

        This information was given in Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ashok Pardhan.