Context:
Centre decided to additionally sell wheat and rice through the Open Market Sales Scheme for Food Corporation of India (FCI) stocks.
About OMSS:
- Sale of surplus food grains (especially wheat and rice) in the open market by FCI.
- Sold at predetermined prices through e-auction to traders, bulk consumers, retail chains.
- Purpose – To dispose of surplus stocks of wheat and rice held by FCI, and to regulate the prices of wheat in the open market.
- Conducts weekly auctions on National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) platform.
- States are allowed to procure food grains through the OMSS without participating in the auctions, for their needs beyond what they get from the central pool to distribute to NFSA beneficiaries.
NCDEX is a commodity exchange platform in India that provides a platform for trading in various agricultural and other commodities.
About Food Corporation of India (FCI):
- A Public Sector Undertaking under the Department of Food & Public Distribution.
- Ministry – Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
- A statutory body under the Food Corporations Act 1964.
- Aim – To prevent shortage of grains, especially wheat.
- Primary duty – To undertake purchase, store, move/transport, distribute and sell food grains and other foodstuffs.
- Also established Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) 1965 to recommend remunerative prices to farmers.
- Nominated as an additional nodal Agency for procurement of Pulses and Oilseeds.
- Headquarters – New Delhi
- Objectives of FCI –
- To provide remunerative prices to farmers.
- To ensure food security of the nation.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements:
- The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.
- The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
- Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
