Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA on Friday approved revision in buffer norms of foodgrains in the Central Pool to ensure better management of food stocks in the country. As per the revised norms, the Food Corporation of India has to maintain higher buffer stock of 41.12 million tonnes in the second quarter as on 1st of July as against the previous limit of 31.9 million tonnes and 30.77 million tonnes in the third quarter as on 1st of October against previous norms of 21.2 million tonnes.

However, a marginally lower stock of 21.04 million tonnes is to be maintained in the first quarter as on 1st of April as against 21.2 million tonnes. Similarly, 21.41 million tonnes stocks are to be kept in the last quarter as on 1st of January as against 25 million tonnes.

If the stock of foodgrains in the Central pool is more than the revised buffer norms, the Department of Food and Public Distribution will offload excess stock in the domestic market through open sale or through exports. For the purpose, an Inter-Ministerial Group has also been constituted which will comprised of Secretaries of the Food, Expenditure and Consumer Affairs Departments.