Thursday, November 10 2005 17:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Food Corporation of India (FCI) today (Nov 10, 2005) ruled out any shortage in food grain stock by saying both rice and wheat stocks are 'healthy' enough to meet food grain demand arising from the Government's commitment on social and welfare schemes.

"We have sufficient food grain stock including that of wheat to meet demand for social and welfare schemes," FCI Chairman and Managing Director V K Malhotra told sources.

Wheat stock stood at 87 lakh tonne as on November 9, 2005 while rice stock stood at 113 lakh tonne, he said, adding that these stocks are well above the buffer norms.

"Rice stock is comfortable while available wheat stock is sufficient to meet demand till March when new wheat crop would be harvested," he said.

Monthly wheat demand has been pegged at 13-14 lakh tonne for November-March to meet commitment on Public Distribution System (PDS) for poor families and other welfare programmes, including employment generation schemes.

Total wheat demand during next five months would be 65-75 lakh tonne leaving stocks well above the buffer norms.

"The overall wheat stock situation is satisfactory by any standard," Malhotra said, adding that there was absolutely no reason to get worried about the food grain stock situation.

To a query whether there would emerge a situation where the country starts importing wheat, Malhotra said, "Such a situation does not arise at all".

On the recent Rs 50 per quintal rise in wheat prices at open markets, he said, "This is in tune with usual trend witnessed during this season when consumption increases due to festivals and weddings".