Question

Q. Shanta Kumar committee is related to the affairs of:

• A. Financial sector reforms
• B. Defence procurement policy
• C. Use of artificial intelligence in agriculture
• D. On role and restructuring of Food Corporation of India

Answer 1

The correct option is D On role and restructuring of Food Corporation of India

Explanation:

Shanta Kumar Committee was formed to suggest reforms in FCI. The report recommended that FCI hand over all procurement operations of wheat, paddy and rice to states that have created a reasonable infrastructure for procurement and gained sufficient experience in this regard.

FCI will accept only the surplus (after deducting the needs of the states under NFSA) from these state governments (not millers) to be moved to deficit states. FCI should move on to help those states where farmers suffer from distress sales at prices much below MSP, and which are dominated by smallholdings, like Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam etc.
There is a need for an agreement between FCI and the states regarding costing norms before every procurement season. States should get a clear direction from the centre that if there is any bonus being given on the top of MSP, grains will not be accepted by the Centre under the central pool.