Question : CASH CRUNCH IN WHEAT PROCUREMENT SCHEME

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned `Cash crunch eats up U.P. Government`s wheat procurement scheme` appearing in the Indian Express dated April 20, 2000;

(b) if so, whether the Government of U.P. is not offering more than Rs.500 for a quintal of wheat against the official price of Rs.580 and sending it to Assam, Gujarat and some Southern States at a profit of Rs. 100 per quintal; and

(c) if so, the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )

(a), (b) & (c) : Yes, Sir. According to the State Government of U.P., they have released enough money/cash for procurement of wheat during the current Rabi Marketing Season.

The State Government/Agencies are procuring all the quantities of wheat conforming to FAQ specifications offered for sale by the farmers at Minimum Support Price rate of Rs.580/- only per quintal on cash payment basis, in order to enable the farmers to avail remunerative prices for their produce.

The State Government is not sending any wheat to Assam, Gujarat and some Southern States at a profit of Rs.100/- per quintal.