1 Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009 SSS-AKG/11.00/1A ...

139Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009Despite all the problems that he has mentioned, despite all thefigures that have been given by the hon. Member who spoke before me,the fact remains that there is not even the remotest possibility of a foodscarcity in our country. It is not as if we are going to have starvation inthe country. We have buffers stocks of 153.49 lakh tonnes of rice asagainst the prescribed norms of 52 lakh tonnes. These are Governmentfigures, given by the hon. Agriculture Minister. Our buffer stock forwheat stands at 284.57 lakh tonnes as against the norm of 110 lakhtonnes for wheat. Therefore, this question does not arise.Sir, our procurement of rice and wheat has been the highest eversince Independence and that is another issue that we need to consider.Yes, we can distribute it better, but what are the constructive steps thatwe need to take? But let us not look at the entire picture as ifeverything is doom and gloom. Let us look at it in a spirit ofconstructive suggestion. Our procurement has been the highest everwith 33.1 million tonnes of rice as also 22.57 million tonnes of wheat.This is the highest ever since Independence.Sir, consider also the fact that under the Antyodaya Scheme, 35kg of foodgrains, rice at Rs.3 per kg and wheat at Rs.2 per kg, arebeing given to every family. (Interruptions) Whenever you get yourchance, you surely bring to the notice of the House the issues and theAntyodaya Scheme. But the fact of the matter is that the Governmenthas instituted the Antyodaya Scheme. The lapses, if any, are for us toaddress. The fact is that under the scheme, the issue price of rice,wheat, sugar, edible oil, and pulses has not gone up since thisGovernment came to power in 2004. It has not gone up by one rupee.