Grain procurement net extended for 2003

 Agencies, including Food Corporation of India (FCI), would also procure bajra (pearl millet) and maize in Rajasthan in view of bumper production this season.

 The grain quality specifications were being relaxed to ensure remunerative prices to growers whose crops were adversely affected owing to the prolonged rainy spell in September.

 Yadav said at a press conference that nearly 5 million tonnes of rice had already been procured in the current kharif marketing season in the traditionally rice surplus states of Punjab and Haryana.

 He parried questions regarding losses in procurement and distribution operations of crops like bajra and maize.

 Procurement in states like Bihar, Assam, Orissa, Nagaland and other parts of north-east would begin when the new crop started arriving at markets.

 Storage of procured grains would not be a problem as foodstocks in the Central pool were down from 64 million tonnes this time last year to 28 million tonnes now.

 Stocks were used to supply grain for welfare schemes to 15 states hit by drought in 2002 and partly because of exports. Total available storage capacity with FCI was 64 million tonnes.

 In Rajasthan, FCI would operate 25 centres to purchase bajra and maize. The state grain agency would set up 50 additional purchase centres.

 Following reports of discolouration of bajra grain after rains in September, the food ministry has decided to relax quality specifications for procurement.

 Stocks having upto 7.5 per cent slightly damaged or discoloured grains, instead of usual 2.5 per cent, would be procured by public agencies with a nominal price cut of Rs 10 a quintal.