November 29, 2001

'39'

        Central Government has been allocating foodgrains (rice and wheat) to the drought-affected States free of cost for food for work programme. Foodgrains are also being allotted to the States for calamity relief such as drought, flood etc. at rates applicable to families below poverty line (BPL) i.e. Rs. 5650 per tonne for rice and Rs. 4150 per tonne for wheat for distribution to the affected families.

        As compared to this, the export price of rice fixed by the Government is Rs. 5650/- per tonne for raw rice and Rs. 6000/- per tonne for parboiled rice. Thje current export prices of wheat is Rs. 4200 per tonne and that of ‘lustre lost’ wheat of Punjab and Haryana is Rs. 4150 per tonne.

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