The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, thank you for allowing me, under Standing Order 27(2), to question the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development.

¶ 03 There is no dispute that rice is our people’s staple food. Recently, however, issues have arisen in rice distribution. This affects not only consumers but also farmers, millers, importers, and several related groups whose livelihoods are intertwined. I submit the following questions seeking viable alternatives:

¶ 04 1. What is the annual total demand for the varieties of rice—White Nadu, Red Nadu, Red Raw, White Raw, Samba and Keeri Samba? How much of each of these is produced domestically per year? If demand exceeds production, by how much?

¶ 05 2. Except for Keeri Samba, other varieties are sufficiently available at the government-controlled prices. During harvest, millers and traders purchase Keeri Samba paddy at or below set prices, stockpile it, mill later, and sell as rice at higher prices on the black market. Can this be controlled? If so, how?

¶ 06 3. As Keeri Samba is sold on the black market at higher prices, how many metric tons of equivalent Ponni (GR-11/BS) rice have been imported to stabilize the price?

¶ 07 4. While other varieties are sold below the controlled price (e.g. Sathosa tenders show this), why import varieties equivalent to Keeri Samba such as Ponni, White Raw, Kurunel? How many metric tons have been imported?

¶ 08 5. Can new approaches be developed to protect all stakeholders—producers, consumers, farmers—by encouraging regional rice producers, stabilizing prices, and ensuring steady, shortage-free supply?