FCI foodgrains stock down by 37% from last year; yet higher than buffer

Centre's foodgrains stock managed by the Food Corporation of India remains 66% higher than the buffer norm

Rice and wheat stocks in the central pool, managed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), down by 37 per cent in comparison with last year, reported Thehindubusinessline. However, the FCI data shows that the foodgrain stock continues to be 66 per cent higher than the buffer norm. While the strategic reserve and buffer norm mandate maintaining a foodgrain stock of 30.55 million tonnes (mt), the current stock is 51.14 mt. 

Lower procurement of wheat and the continuation of the free foodgrain scheme Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) have driven the depletion of the stocks to the lowest