The Government has fixed a target of 350.50 lakh million tonne (MT) for procurement of Rice for ongoing Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2014-15 and a target of 300 lakh MT of wheat has been fixed for ensuing Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2015-16, as per information provided by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Raosaheb Patil Danve.
The allocation of foodgrains after implementation of NFSA by all the states is estimated at 61.43 MT, however, the average off take of foodgrains in Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS) in last 3 years has been 53.99 MT.
Around, 25.11 MT of Wheat and 11.74 MT of Rice were available in Central Pool, as on January 01, 2015. Since the targeted procurement is in excess of requirement and stock in central pool are much in excess of the prescribed buffer norms and strategic reserve, therefore, availability of foodgrains at reasonable price is ensured despite a shortage in rainfall.