Increase in the stock of food grains in the central pool

27-May-2024 10:42 AM

New Delhi . Due to the continuation of the procurement process of Rabi season wheat and paddy, the stock of food grains in the central pool increased to 612.26 lakh tonnes on 16 May 2024,

which was 578.62 lakh tonnes on 1 May and 555.34 lakh tonnes on 1 May 2023. As compared to May 1, 2024,

the stock of rice improved from 319.07 lakh tonnes to 320.59 lakh tonnes and the stock of wheat increased from 259.55 lakh tonnes to 291.67 lakh tonnes on May 16, 2024.

But on the other hand, the stock of paddy decreased by 283.33 lakh tonnes to 270.14 lakh tonnes and the stock of coarse grains fell from 4.57 lakh tonnes to 4.28 lakh tonnes.

Government procurement of wheat was 262 lakh tonnes in 2023, whereas it has exceeded that in the current year. Given that very little quantity of wheat is reaching the government procurement centers in most of the major producing states, critics say that the campaign to procure it for the central pool may soon end. 

As far as Rabi season paddy is concerned, its government procurement is currently taking place in southern states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh while now it is also being started in Orissa and Bengal.

There is a possibility of paddy procurement being affected due to the cyclonic storm 'Remal' in Bengal. The total government stock of wheat has reached around 300 lakh tonnes.

Consideration can be given to starting the sale of wheat under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) from next month.