**Policy Summary: Procurement of Foodgrains for Public Distribution**
This document summarizes the budgetary allocations and disbursements for the procurement of foodgrains for public distribution in India over the past three financial years (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25). The information was provided in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2962, answered on August 6, 2025, by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shrimati Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) reimburses expenses incurred by states operating under the Decentralized Procurement (DCP) mode for procuring and distributing food grains to beneficiaries of central schemes, based on allocated quantities. Funds are also allocated to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for procuring, storing, and transporting food grains from surplus to deficit states, as well as for maintaining buffer stocks. The FCI, in turn, releases funds to states for the quantity of food grains transferred to the FCI under the Central Pool.
Food subsidy disbursements to FCI and DCP states are detailed below (in ₹ Crore):
* **2022-23:** FCI: 2,00,219.20; DCP States: 72,282.50; Total: 2,72,501.70
* **2023-24:** FCI: 1,39,661.03; DCP States: 71,732.82; Total: 2,11,393.85
* **2024-25:** FCI: 1,29,089.40; DCP States: 70,410.60; Total: 1,99,500.00
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION: The Indian government ministry responsible for consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Indian Parliament, where the unstarred question was raised.
SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA: MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION who answered the question.
Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD): The department within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution responsible for food management and distribution.
Decentralized Procurement (DCP): A mode of food grain procurement where states procure and distribute food grains for central schemes.
Food Corporation of India (FCI): The primary agency responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of food grains in India.
Central Pool: The common stock of food grains maintained by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) on behalf of the Government of India to meet the requirements of various schemes and buffer stock.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2962
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
PROCUREMENT OF FOODGRAINS FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
2962. SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION
be pleased to state:
the details of the budget allocated and disbursed for the procurement of
foodgrains for public distribution during the last three Financial Years 2022-23, 2023-
24 and 2024-25?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI BAMBHANIYA)
Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) reimburses the expenditure incurred by
States, who have opted for Decentralized Procurement (DCP) mode for procurement/distribution of
food grain to the Central Schemes’ beneficiaries as per allocation of food-grains.
Funds are also released to Food Corporation of India (FCI) for procurement, storage and
movement of food grains from Surplus State to Deficit State and for maintenance of buffer stocks.
FCI further releases funds to States for the quantum of food grains handed over by States to FCI under
Central Pool. The Details of food subsidy released to FCI and DCP States during 2022-23, 2023-24
and 2024-25 are as under: -
n Crore)
ea r FCI DCP States Total
2022-23 2,00,2 1 9.20 72,282.50 2,72,501 .70
2023-24 1 ,39,66 1 .03 71 ,732.82 2, 1 1 ,393.85
1 ,29,089.40 70,4 1 0.60 1.99.500.00
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